THE  LIBRARY 


OF 


THE 


UNIVERSITY 
CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGELES 


OF 


^/j///.  ^;/'" 
/,    ^-. 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA; 


THE  UNFEELING  FATHER 


got  gimerkan:  Kale. 


"In  every  varied  posture,  place,  and  hour, 
How  widowed  every  thought  of  every  joy!" 
YouNa. 


BY  DANIEL  JACKSON,  JR. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

CLAXTON,  EEMSEN  &  HAFFELFINGEE, 

624,  626  &  628  MARKET  STREET. 

1879. 


:-. 


PS 
3\c 

PREFACF.  J6a. 


WHETHER  the  story  of  Alonzo  and  Me- 
lissa will  generally  please,  the  writer  knows 
riot,  if,  however,  he  is  not  mistaken,  it  ia 
not  unfriendly  to  religion  and  to  virtue.  — 
One  thing  was  aimed  to  be  shown,  that  a 
firm  reliance  on  Providence,  however  the 
affections  might  be  at  war  with  its  dispen- 
sations, is  the  only  source^of  consolation  in 
the  gloomy  hours  of  affliction  ;  and  that  gen- 
erally such  dependence,  though  crossed  by 
difficulties  and  perplexities,  will  be  crowned 
with  victory  at  last. 

It  is  also  believed  that  the  story  contains 
no  indecorous  stimulants;  nor  is  it  filled 
with  unmeaning  and  mexplicated  incidents 
sounding  upon  the  sense,  but  imperceptible 
to  the  understanding.  When  anxietiet 
have  been  excited  by  involved  and  doubtfu 
events,  they  are  afterwards  elucidated  b 
the  consequences. 

1560475 


The  writer  believes  that  generally  he 
has  copied  nature.  In  the  ardent  prospects 
raised  in  youthful  bosoms,  the  almost  con- 
summation of  their  wishes,  their  sudden  and 
unexpected  disappointment,  the  sorrows  of 
separation,  the  joyous  and  unlocked  for 
meeting — in  the  poignant  feelings  of  Alon- 
zo,  when,  at  the  grave  of  Melissa,  he  poured 
the  feelings  of  his  anguished  soul  over  her 

miniature  by  the  "moon's  pale  ray;" 

when  Melissa,  sinking  on  her  knees  before 
her  father,  was  received  to  his  bosom  as  a 
beloved  daughter  risen  from  the  dead. 

If  these  scenes  are  not  imperfectly  drawn, 
they  will  not  fail  to  interest  the  refined  sen- 
sibilities of  the  reader. 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA, 

A   TALE. 


IN  the  time  of  the  late  revolution,  two 
young  gentlemen  of  Connecticut,  who  had 
formed  an  indissoluble  friendship,  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  New-Haven :  their  names 
were  Edgar  and  Alonzo.  Edgar  was  the 
son  of  a  respectable  farmer.  Alonzo's  father 
was  an  eminent  merchant.  Edgar  was  de- 
signed for  the  desk,  Alonzo  for  the  bar;  but 
as  they  were  allowed  some  vacant  time  after 
their  graduation  before  they  entered  upon 
their  professional  studies,  they  improved  this 
interim  in  mutual,  friendly  visits,  mingling 
with  select  parties  in  the  amusements  of  the 
day,  and  in  travelling  through  some  parts  cf 
the  United  States. 

Edgar  had  a  sister  who,  for  some  time, 
had  resided  with  her  cousin  at  New-Lon- 
lon.  She  was  now  about  to  return,  and  it 
was  designed  that  Edgar  should  go  and  at- 
tend her  home.  Previous  to  the  day  on 
which  he  was  to  set  out,  he  was  unfortu- 
nately thrown  from  his  horse,  which  so 
much  injured  him  as  to  prevent  his  prose- 
1  * 


6  ALONZO    AND   MELISSA. 

cuting  his  intended  journey :  he  therefore 
invited  Aionzo  to  supply  his  place ;  which 
invitation  he  readily  accepted,  and  on  the 
day  appointed  set  out  for  New-London, 
where  he  arrived,  delivered  his  introductory 
letters  to  Edgar's  cousin,  and  was  received 
with  the  most  friendly  politeness. 

Melissa,  the  sister  of  Edgar,  was  about  six- 
teen years  of  age.  She  was  not  what  is  es- 
teemed a  striking  beauty,  but  her  appearance 
was  pleasingly  interesting.  Her  figure  was 
elegant;  her  aspect  was  attempered  with  a 
pensive  mildness,  which  in  her  cheerful 
moments  would  light  up  into  sprightliness 
and  vivacity.  Though  on  first  impression, 
her  countenance  was  marked  by  a  sweet  and 
thoughtful  serenity,  yet  she  eminently  pos- 
sessed the  power  to 

"  Call  round  her  laughing  eyes,  in  playful  turns, 
The  glance  that  lightens,  and  the  smile  that  burns." 

Her  mind  was  adorned  with  those  delicate 
graces  which  are  the  first  ornaments  of  fe- 
male, excellence.  Her  manners  were  grace- 
ful without  affectation,  and  her  taste  had  been 
properly  directed  by  a  suitable  education. 

Aionzo  was  about  twenty-one  years  old ; 
he  had  been  esteemed  an  excellent  student. 
His  appearance  was  manly,  open  and  free. 
His  eye  indicated  a  nobleness  of  soul;  al- 
though his  aspect  was  tinged  with  melan- 
choly, yet  he  was  naturally  cheerful.  His 
disposition  was  of  the  romantic  cast ; 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  7 

For  far  beyond  the  pride  and  pomp  of  power, 
He  lov'd  the  realms  of  nature  to  explore  ; 
With  lingering  gaze  Edinian  spring  survey'd  ; 
Morn's  fairy  splendours  ;  night's  gay  curtained  shade} 
The  high  hoar  cliff,  the  grove's  benighting  gloom, 
The  wild  rose,  widowed  o'er  the  mouldering  tomb  j 
The  heaven  embosom'd  sun  ;  the  rainbow's  dye, 
Where  lucid  forms  disport  to  fancy's  eye  ; 
The  vernal  flower,  mild  autumn's  purpling  glow, 
The  summer's  thunder  and  the  winter's  snow." 

It  was  evening  when  Alonzo  arrived  at 
the  house  of  Edgar's  cousin.  Melissa  was 
at  a  ball  which  had  been  given  on  a  matri- 
monial occasion  in\he  town.  Her  cousin 
waited  on  Alonzo  to  the  ball,  and  introduc- 
ed him  to  Melissa,  who  received  him  with 
politeness.  She  was  dressed  in  white,  em 
broidered  and  spangled  with  rich  silver  lace , 
a  silk  girdle,  enwrought  and  tasseled  with 
gold,  surrounded  her  waist;  her  hair  was 
unadorned  except  by  a  wreath  of  artificial 
flowers,  studded  by  a  single  diamond. 

After  the  ball  closed,  they  returned  to  the 
house  of  Edgar's  cousin.  Melissa's  part- 
ner at  the  ball  was  the  son  of  a  gentleman 
of  independent  fortune  in  New-London, 
de  was  a  gay  young  man,  aged  about  twen- 
ty-five. His  address  was  easy,  his  manners 
rather  voluptuous  than  refined ;  confident, 
but  not  ungraceful.  He  led  the  ton  in 
fashionable  circles ;  gave  taste  its  zest,  and 
was  quite  a  favorite  with  the  ladies  gen- 
erally. His  name  was  Beauman. 

Edgar's  cousin  proposed  to  detain  Alonzo 
and  Melissa  a  few  days,  during  which  time 


S  ALONZO    AJfD    MELISSA. 

they  passed  in  visiting  select  friends  and  socia. 
parties.  Beauman  was  an  assiduous  attend- 
ant upon  Melissa.  He  came  one  afternoon 
to  invite  her  to  rids  out ; — she  was  indispo- 
sed and  excused  herself.  At  evening  she 
proposed  walking  out  with  her  cousin  and 
his  lady;  but  they  were  prevented  from 
attending  her  by  unexpected  company. 
Alonzo  offered  to  accompany  her.  It  was 
one  of  those  beautiful  evenings  in  the  month 
of  June,  when  nature  in  those  parts  of  A- 
merica  is  arrayed  in  her  richest  dress.  They 
left  the  town  and  walked  through  fields 
adjoining  the  harbour. — The  moon  shone 
in  full  lustre,  her  white  beams  trembling 
upon  the  glassy  main,  where  skiffs  and  sails 
of  various  descriptions  were  passing  and 
repassiug.  The  shores  of  Long-Island  arid 
the  other  islands  in  the  harbour,  appeared 
dimly  to  float  among  the  waves.  The  air 
was  adorned  with  the  fragrance  of  surround- 
ing flowers  ;  the  sound  of  instrumental  music 
wafted  from  the  town,  rendered  sweeter  by 
distance,  while  the  whippoorwill's  sprightly 
song  echoed  along  the  adjacent  groves.  Far 
if*  the  eastern  horizon  hung  a  pile  of  bra- 
zen clouds,  which  had  passed  from  the  north, 
over  which,  the  crinkling  red  lightning  mo- 
mentarily darted,  and  at  times,  long  peak  o.' 
thunder  were  faintly  heard.  They  walked 
to  a  point  of  the  beach,  where  stood  a  large 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  9 

rock  whose  base  was  washed  by  every  tide. 
On  this  rock  they  seated  themselves,  and  en- 
joyed awhile  the  splendours  of  the  scene — 
the  drapery  of  nature.  "  To  this  place,  said 
Melissa,  have  I  taken  many  a  solitary  walk, 
on  suth  an  evening  as  this,  and  seated  on 
this  rock,  have  I  experienced  more  pleasing 
sensations  than  I  ever  received  in  the  most 
splendid  ball-room."  The  idea  impressed 
the  mind  of  Alonzo ;  it  was  congenial  with 
the  feeling  of  his  soul. 

They  returned  at  a  late  hour,  and  the 
ntxl  day  set  out  for  home.  Beauman  han- 
ded Melissa  into  the  carriage,  and  he,  with 
Kdgar's  cousin  and  his  lady,  attended  them 
on  their  first  day's  journey.  They  put  up 
at  night  at  the  house  of  an  acquaintance  in 
Branford.  The  next  morning  they  parted  • 
Melissa's  cousin,  his  lady  and  Beauman, 
returned  to  ISew-Londou ;  Alonzo  and  Me- 
lissa pursued  their  journey,  and  at  evening 
arrived  at  her  father's  house,  which  was  in 
the  westerly  part  of  the  state. 

Me'issa  was  received  with  joyful  tender- 
ness by  her  friends.  Edgar  soon  recovered 
from  his  fall,  and  cheerfulness  again  assum- 
ed its  most  pleasing  aspect  in  the  family.— 
Edgar's  father  was  a  plain  Connecticut  far- 
mer. He  was  rich,  and  his  riches  had  been 
acquired  by  his  diligent  attention  to  busi7 
ness.  He  had  loaned  money,  and  taken 


10  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

mortgages  on  lands  and  houses  for  securi- 
ties ;  and  as  payment  frequently  failed,  he 
often  had  opportunities  of  purchasing  the 
involved  premises  at  his  own  price.  He 
well  knew  the  worth  of  a  shilling,  and  how 
to  apply  it  to  its  best  use ;  and  in  casting 
interest,  he  was  sure  never  to  lose  a  far- 
thing. He  had  no  other  children  except 
Edgar  and  Melissa,  on  whom  he  doated. — 
Destitute  of  literature  himself,  he  had  pro- 
vided the  means  of  obtaining  it  for  his  son, 
and  as  he  was  a  rigid  presbyterian,  he  con- 
sidered that  Edgar  could  no  where  figure  so 
well,  or  gain  more  eminence,  than  in  the 
sacred  desk. 

The  time  now  arrived  when  Edgar  and 
Alon/o  were  to  part.  The  former  repaired 
to  New-York,  where  he  was  to  enter  upon 
his  professional  studies.  The  latter  enter- 
ed in  the  office  of  an  eminent  attorney  in 
his  native  town,  which  was  about  twenty 
miles  distant  from  the  village  in  which  liv- 
ed the  family  of  Edgar  ami  Melissa.  A- 
lon/o  was  the  frequent  guest  of  this  fpmily; 
for  though  Edgar  was  absent,  there  was  still 
a  charm  which  attracted  him  hither.  If  he 
had  admired  the  manly  virtues  of  the  bro- 
ther, could  he  fail  to  adore  the  sublimer 
graces  of  the  sister  ?  If'all  the  sympathises 
of  the  most  ardent  friendship  had  been  drawn 
forth  towards  the  former,  must  not  the  most 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  H 

tender  passions  of  the  soul  be  attracted  by 
the  milder  and  more  refined  excellencies  of 
the  other  1 

Beauman  had  become  the  suitor  of  Me- 
lissa ;  but  the  distance  of  residence  render- 
ed it  inconvenient  to  visit  her  often.  He 
came  regularly  once  in  two  or  three  months ; 
of  course  Alonzo  and  he  sometimes  met. 
Beauman  had  made  no  serious  pretensions, 
but  his  particularity  indicated  something 
more  than  fashionable  politeness. 

His  manners,  his  independent  situation, 
his  family,  entitled  him  to  respect.  "  It  is 
not  probable  therefore  that  he  will  be  objec- 
tionable to  Melissa's  friends  or  to  Melissa 
herself,"  said  Alonzo,  with  an  involuntary 
sigh. 

But  as  Beauman's  visits  to  Melissa  became 
more  frequent,  an  increasing  anxiety  took 
place  in  Alonzo's  bosom.  He  wished  her 
to  remain  single  ;  the  idea  of  losing  her  by 
marriage,  gave  him  inexpressible  regret. 
What  substitute  could  supply  the  happy 
hours  he  had  passed  in  her  company  1  What 
charm  could  wing  the  lingering  moments 
when  she  was  gone  ?  In  the  recess  of  his 
studies,  he  could,  in  a  few  hours,  be  at  the 
seat  of  her  father :  there  his  cares  were 
dissipated,  and  the  troubles  of  life,  real  or 
imaginary,  on  light  pinions,  fleeted  away. — 
How  different  would  be  the  scene  when 


12  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

debarred  from  the  unreserved  friendship  ana 
conversation  of  Melissa ;  And  unreserved 
it  could  not  be,  were  she  not  exclusively 
mistress  of  herself.  But  was  there  not 
something  of  a  more  refined  texture  than 
friendship  in  his  predilection  for  the  com- 
pany of  Melissa  ?  If  so,  why  not  avow  it  ? 
His  prospects,  his  family,  and  of  course  his 
pretensions  might  not  be  inferior  to  those 
of  Beauman.  But  perhaps  Beauman  was 
preferred.  His  opportunities  had  been 
greater ;  he  had  formed  an  acquaintance 
with  her.  Distance  proved  no  barrier  to 
his  addresses.  His  visits  became  more  and 
more  frequent.  Was  it  not  then  highly 
probable  that  he  had  secured  her  affections? 
Thus  reasoned  Alouzo,  but  the  reasoning 
tended  not  to  allay  the  tempest  which  was 
gathering  in  his  bosom.  He  ordered  his 
horse,  and  was  in  a  short  time  at  the  seat 
of  Melissa's  father. 

It  was  summer,  and  towards  evening 
when  he  arrived.  Melissa  was  sitting  by 
the  window  when  he  entered  the  hall.  She 
arose  and  received  him  with  a  smile.  "  I 
have  just  been  thinking  of  an  evening's 
walk,  said  she,  but  had  no  one  to  attend 
me,  and  you  have  come  just  in  time  to  per- 
form that  office.  I  will  order  tea  immedi- 
ately, while  you  rest  from  the  fatigues  of 
your  journey." 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  13 

When  tea  was  served  up,  a  servant  en- 
tered the  room  with  a  letter  which  he  had 
found  in  the  yard.  Melissa  received  it. — 
"  'Tis  a  letter,  said  she,  which  I  sent  by 
Beauman,  to  a  lady  in  New-London,  and 
the  careless  man  has  lost  it."  Turning  to 
Alonzo,  "  I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  your 
friend  Beauman  has  been  with  us  a  few 
days  ;  he  left  us  this  morning." 

"  My  friend  !"  replied  Alonzo,  hastily. 
"Is  he  not  your  friend?"  enquired  Melissa. 

"  I  beg  pardon,  madam,"  answered  he, 
"  my  mind  was  absent." 

"  He  requested  us  to  present  his  respects 
to  his  friend  Alonzo,"  said  she.  Alouzo 
bowed  and  turned  the  conversation. 

They  walked  out  and  took  a  winding 
path  which  led  along  pleasant  fields  by  a 
gliding  stream,  through  a  little  grove  and 
up  a  sloping  eminence,  which  commanded 
an  extensive  prospect  of  the  surrounding 
country ;  Long  Island,  and  the  sound  be- 
tween that  and  the  main  land,  and  the 
opening  thereof  to  the  distant  ocean. 

A  soft  and  silent  shower  had  descended 
a  thousand  transitory  gems  trembled  upon 
the  foliage  glittering  the  western  ray. — A 
bright  rainbow  sat  upon  a  southern  cloud  ; 
the  light  gales  whispered  among  the  branch- 
es, agitated  the  young  harvest  to  billowy 
motion,  or  waved  the  tops  of  the  distant 
2 


14  ALOtfZO    AND    MELISSA. 

ieep  green  forest  with  majestic  grandeur. 
Flocks,  herds,  and  cottages  were  scattered 
over  the  variegated  landscape. 

Hills  piled  on  hills,  receding,  faded  from 
the  pursuing  eye,  mingling  with  the  blue 
mist  which  hovered  around  the  extreme 
verge  of  the  heri/on.  "  This  is  a  most  de- 
lightful scene,"  said  Melissa. 

"  It  is  indeed,  replied  Alonzo;  can  New- 
London  boast  so  charming  a  prospect  ?" 

Melissa.  No — yes ;  indeed  I  can  hardly 
say.  You  know,  Alonzo,  how  I  am  charm- 
ed"^ with  the  rock  at  the  point  of  the  beach. 

Alun/.o.  You  told  me  of  the  happy  hours 
you  had  passed  at  that  place.  Perhaps  the 
"ompany  which  attended  you  there,  gave 
the  scenery  its  highest  embellishment. 

Melissa.  I  know  not  how  it  happened; 
but  you  are  the  only  person  who  ever  attend- 
ed me  there. 

Vlonzo.     That  is  a  little  surprising. 

Mel.     Why  surprising  ? 

Al.     Where  was  Beauman  ? 

Mel.  Perhaps  he  was  not  fond  of  soli 
tilde.  Besides  he  was  not  always  my  J3nau 
man. 

Al.     Sometimes. 

Mel.     Yes,  sometimes. 

AL     And  now  always. 

Mel.     Not  this  evening. 

Al.     He  formerly 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.    ,  15 

Mel.     Well. 

Al.  And  will  soon  claim  the  exclusive 
privilege  so  to  do. 

Mel.     That  does  not  follow  of  course. 

Al.  Of  course,  if  his  intentions  are  sin- 
cere, and  the  wishes  of  another  should  ac- 
cord therewith. 

Mel.  Who  am  I  to  understand  by  anoth 
er? 

Al.     Melissa.     [A  pause  ensued.] 

Mel.  See  that  ship,  Alonzo,  coming  up 
the  sound;  how  she  ploughs  through  the 
white  foam,  while  the  breezes  flutter  among 
the  sails,  varying  with  the  beams  of  the  sun. 

Al.     Yes,  it  is  almost  down. 

Mel.     What  is  almost  down? 

Al.  The  sun.  Was  not  you  speaking  of 
the  sun,  madam  ? 

Mel.  Your  mind  is  absent,  Alonzo;  I 
was  speaking  of  yonder  ship. 

Al.  I  beg  pardon,  madam.  0  yes — the 
ship — it — it  bounds  with  rapid  motion .  over 
the  waves. 

A  pause  ensued.  They  walked  leisurely 
around  the  hill,  and  moved  toward  home. 
The  sun  sunk  behind  the  western  hills. — 
Twilight  arose  in  the  east,  and  floated  along 
the  air.  Darkness  began  to  hover  around 
the  woodlands  and  vallies.  The  beauties 
ui  the  landscape  slowly  receded.  "This 
reminds  me  of  our  walk  at  New-London  " 


16  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

gaid  Melissa.  "  Do  you  remember  it  ?"  en- 
quired Alonzo.  "  Certainly  I  do,"  she  re- 
plied, "  I  shall  never  forget  the  sweet  pen- 
sive scenery  of  my  favourite  rock."  "Nor 
I  neither,"  said  Alonzo  with  a  deep  drawn 
sigh. 

The  next  day  Alonzo  returned  to  his 
studies  ;  but,  different  from  his  former  visits 
to  Melissa,  instead  of  exhilarating  his  spirits, 
this  had  tended  to  depress  them.  He  doubt- 
ed whether  Melissa  was  not  already  en- 
gaged to  Beauman.  His  hopes  would  per- 
suade him  that  this  was  not  the  case ;  but 
his  fears  declared  otherwise. 

It  was  some  time  before  Alonzo  renewed 
his  visit.  In  the  interim  he  received  a  letter 
from  a  friend  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Me- 
lissa's father ;  an  extract  from  which  follows : 

"  We  are  soon  to  have  a  wedding  here ; 
you  are  acquainted  with  the  parties — Me- 
lissa D and  Beauman.  Such  at  least 

is  our  opinion  from  appearances,  as  Beau- 
man is  now  here  more  than  half  his  time. — 
You  will  undoubtedly  be  a  guest.  We  had 
expected  that  you  would  have  put  in  your 
claims,  from  your  particular  attention  to  the 
lady.  She  is  a  fine  girl,  Alonzo." 

"  I  shall  never  be  a  guest  at  Melissa's 
wedding,"  said  Alonzo,  as  he  hastily  paced 
the  room  ;  "  but  I  must  once  again  see  her 
before  that  event  takes  place,  when  A  lose 


ALONZO   AND      IELISSA.  17 

her  forever."  The  next  day  he  repaired 
to  her  father's.  He  .  encji  ired  for  Melissa, 
she  was  gone  with  a  party  to  the  shores  •>' 
the  sound,  attended  by  Beaunia-n,  At  eve". 
in£  they  retuined.  Beau  man  and  AJonzo 
addressed  each  other  with  much  seeming 
cordiality.  "You  have  deceived  us,  Alon- 
zo, said  Melissa.  We  concluded  you  ha-i 
forgotten  the  road  to  this  place." 

"  Was  not  that  a  hasty  conclusion  ?"  .re- 
plied Alonzo.  "  I  think  not,  she  answered, 
if  your  long  absence  should  be  construed 
into  neglect.  But  we  will  hear  your  ex 
i;use,  said  she,  smiling,  by  and  by,  and  per- 
haps pardon  you."  He  thanked  her  for 
her  condescension. 

The  next  morning  Beauman  set  out  for 
New-London.  Alonzo  observed  that  he 
took  a  tender  leave  of  Melissa,  telling  her, 
in  a  low  voice,  that  he  should  have  the  hap- 
piness of  seeing  her  again  within  two  or 
three  weeks.  After  he  was  gone,  as  Me- 
lissa and  Alonzo  were  sitting  in  a  room  a- 
ione,  "Well,  said  she,  am  I  to  hear  yoir 
excuses  ?" 

Alonzo.     For  what,  madam  ? 

Mel.     For  neglecting  your  friends. 

Alonzo.  I  hope  it  is  not  so  considered, 
madam. 

Mel.      Seriously,  then,  why  have  yo<i  * 
2*  A 


18  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

stayed  away  so  long  ?     Has  this  place  PO 
charms  in  the  absence  of  my  brother  ? 

Al.  Would  my  presence  have  added  to 
your  felicities,  Melissa  ? 

Mel.  You  never  came  an  unwelcome 
visiter  here. 

Al.  Perhaps  I  might  be  sometimes  in- 
trusive. 

Mel.     What  times  ? 

Al.     When  Beauman  is  your  guest. 

Mel.  I  have  supposed  you  were  on  friend- 
ly terms. 

Al.     We  are. 

Mel.     Why  then  intrusive  ? 

Al.  There  are  seasons  when  friendship 
must  yield  its  pretensions  to  a  superior 
claim. 

Mel.  Perhaps  I  do  not  rightly  compre- 
hend the  force  of  that  remark. 

Al.  Was  Beauman  here,  my  position 
might  be  demonstrated. 

Mel.     I  think  I  understand  you- 

Al.  And  acknowledge  my  observation 
to  be  just  ? 

Mel.  (hesitating.)  Yes — I  believe  I  must. 

A i .     And  japp ro p ri ate  ? 

Melissa  was  silent 

Al      You  hesitate,  Melissa, 
was  stili  silent 
Will  you,  Melissa,  answer  m»  on« 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  19 

Mel.  (confused.)  If  it  be  a  proper  one 
you  are  entitled  to  candour. 

Al.     Are  you  engaged  to  Beauman  ? 

Mel.  (blushing.)  He  has  asked  me  the 
same  question  concerning  you. 

Al.     Do  you  prefer  him  to  any  other? 

Mel.  (deeply  blushing,  her  eyes  cast  up- 
on the  floor.)  He  has  made  the  same  en- 
quiry respecting  you 

Al.  Has  he  asked  your  father's  permis- 
sion to  address  you  ? 

Mel.  That  I  have  not  suffered  him  yet 
to  do. 

Al.     Yet! 

Mel.     I  assure  you  I  have  not. 

Al.  (taking  her  hand  with  anxiety.)  Me- 
lissa, I  beg  you  will  deal  candidly.  I  am 
entitled  to  no  claims,  but  you  know  what 
my  heart  would  ask.  I  will  bow  to  your 
decision.  Beauman  orAlonzo  must  relin- 
quish their  pretensions.  We  cannot  share 
the  blessing. 

Mel.  (her  cheeks  suffused  with  a  varying 
glow,  her  lips  pale,  her  vohe  tremulous,  her 
eyes  still  cast  down.)  My  parents  have  in- 
formed me  that  it  is  improper  to  receive  the 
particular  addresses  of  more  than  one.  I 
am  conscious  of  my  inadvertency,  and  that 
the  reproof  is  just.  One  therefore  must  be 
dismissed.  But — (she  hesitated.) 

A  considerable  pause  en  ued.     At  lengtb 


20  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Alonzo  arose — "  I  will  not  press  you  faF- 
ther,"  said  he ;  "  I  know  the  delicacy  of  your 
feeling,  I  know  your  sincerity  ;  I  will  not 
therefore  insist  on  you\  per  forming  the  pain- 
^iil  task  of  deciding  against  me.  Your  con 
Juctin  every  point  of  view  has  been  discreet. 
I  could  have  no  just  claims,  or  if  I  had,  your 
heart  must  sanction  them,  or  they  would  be 
unhallowed  and  unjustifiable.  I  shall  ever 
pray  .for  your  felicity. — Our  affections  are  not 
under  our  direction  ;  our  happiness  depends 
on  our  obedience  to  their  mandates.  What- 
ever, then,  may  be  my  sufferings, you  are  un- 
blameable  and  irreproachable."  He  took 
his  hat  in  extreme  agitation,  and  prepared 
to  take  his  leave. 

Melissa  had  recovered  in  some  degree 
from  her  embarrassment,  and  collected  her 
scattered  spirits.  "  Your  conduct,  Alonzo, 
said  she,  is  generous  and  noble.  Will  you 
give  yourself  the  trouble,  and  do  me  the 
honour  to  see  me  once  more  1"  "  I  will, 
said  he,  at  any  time  you  shall  appoint." — 
"  Four  weeks  then,  she  said,  from  this  day, 
honour  me  with  a  visit,  and  you  shall  have 
my  decision,  and  receive  my  final  answer." 
"  1  will  be  punctual  to  the  day,"  he  replied, 
and  bade  her  adieu. 

Alonzo's  hours  now  winged  heavily  away. 
His  wonted  cheerfulness  fled  ;  he  wooed  the 
silent  and  solitary  haunts  of"  musing,  mop- 


ALONZO    A.ND    MELISSA.  21 

ingr  melancholy."  He  loved  to  wander 
through  lonely  fields,  or  along  the  verge  of 
some  lingering  stream,  "  when  dewy  twilight 
rob'd  the  evening  mild,"  or  "to  trace  the 
forest  glen,  through  which  the  moon  darted 
her  silvery  intercepted  ray." 

He  was  fondly  indulging  a  tender  passion 
which  preyed  upon  his  peace,  and  deeply 
disturbed  his  repose.  He  looked  anxiously 
to  the  hour  when  Melissa  was  to  make  her 
decision.  He  wished,  yet  dreaded  the 
event.  In  that  he  foresaw,  or  thought  he 
foresaw,  a  withering  blight  to  his  budding 
hopes,  and  a  final  consummation  to  his  fore- 
boding fears.  He  had  pressed  Melissa,  per- 
haps too  urgently,  to  a  declaration. — Had 
her  predilection  been  in  his  favour,  would 
she  have  hesitated  to  avow  it  ?  Her  pa- 
rents had  advised  her  to  relinquish,  and  had 
permitted  her  to  retain  one  suitor,  nor  had 
they  attempted  to  influence  or  direct  her 
choice.  Was  it  not  evident,  then,  from  her 
confused  hesitation  and  embarrassment, 
when  solicited  to  discriminate  upon  the  sub- 
ject, that  her  ultimate  decision  would  be  in 
favour  of  Beauman  ? 

While  Alonzo's  mind  was  thus  agitated, 
he  received  a  second  letter  from  his  friend 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Melissa.  He  read 
the  following  clause  therein  with  emotions 
more  easily  to  be  conceived  than  expressed : 


22  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

"Melissa's  wedding  day  is  appointed.  I 
need  not  tell  you  that  Beauman  is  to  be  the 
happy  deity  of  the  hymeneal  sacrifice.  I 
had  this  from  his  own  declaration.  He  did 
not  name  the  positive  day,  but  it  is  certainly 
to  be  soon.  You  will  undoubtedly,  however, 
have  timely  notice,  as  a  guest.  We  must 
pour  a  liberal  libation  upon  the  mystic  altar, 
Alonzo,  and  twine  the  nuptial  garland  with 
wreaths  of  joy.  Beauman  ought  to  devote 
a  rich  offering  to  so  valuable  a  prize.  He 
has  been  here  for  a  week,  and  departed  for 
New-London  yesterday,  but  is  shortly  to 
return." 

"  And  why  have  I  ever  doubted  this  e- 
vent  ?  said  Alonzo.  What  infatuation  hath 
thus  led  me  on  the  pursuit  of  fantastic  and 
unreal  bliss  ?  I  have  had,  it  is  true,  no  posi- 
tive assurance  that  Melissa  would  favour  mv 
addresses.  But  why  did  she  ever  receive 
them?  Why  did  she  enehantingly  smile 
upon  me  ?  Why  fascinate  the  tender  powers 
of  my  soul  by  that  winning  mildness,  ai  d 
the  favourable  display  of  those  complicated 
and  superior  attractions  which  she  must  have 
known  were  irresistible  ? — Why  did  she  not 
spurn  me  from  her  confidence,  and  plainly 
tell  me  that  my  attentions  were  untimely 
and  improper  ?  And  now  she  would  have 
me  dance  attendance  to  hei  decision  in  fa- 
vour of  Beauman — Insulting!  Let  Eeauman 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  23 

and  she  make,  as  they  have  formed,  this 
farcical  decision;  I  absolutely  will  ntver 
attend  it. — But  stop  :  I  have  engaged  to  see 
her  at  an  appointed  time  ;  my  honour  is 
therefore  pledged  for  an  interview ;  it  must; 
take  place.  I  shall  support  it  with  becom- 
ing dignity,  and  I  will  convince  Melissa  and 
Beauman  that  1  am  not  the  dupe  of  their 
caprices.  But  let  me  consider — What  has 
Melissa  done  to  deserve  censure  or  reproach? 
Her  brother  was  my  early  friend  :  she  has 
treated  me  as  a  friend  to  her  brother.  She 
was  unconscious  of  the  flame  which  her 
charms  had  kindled  in  my  bosom. — Her 
evident  embarrassment  and  confusion  on  re- 
ceiving my  declaration,  vvitnessed  her  sur- 
prise and  prior  attachment.  What  could 
she  do  ?  To  save  herself  the  pain  of  a  direct 
denial,  she  had  appointed  a,  day  when  her 
refusal  may  come  in  a  more  delicate  and 
formal  manner — and  I  must  meet  it." 

At  the  appointed  day,  Alonzo  proceeded 
to  the  house  of  Melissa's  father,  where  he 
arrived  late  in  the  afternoon.  Melissa  had 
retired  to  a  little  summer  house  at  the  end 
of  the  garden  ;  a  servant  conducted  Alonzo 
thither.  She  was  dressed  in  a  flowing  robe 
of  white  muslin,  embroidered  with  a  deep 
fringe  lace.  Her  hair  hung  loosely  upon 
her  shoulders  ;  she  was  contemplating  a 
bouquet  of  ilowers  which  she  held  in  her 


24  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

naud.  Alonzo  fancied  she  never  appeared 
so  lovely.  She  arose  to  receive  him.  "We 
have  been  expecting  you  some  time,  said 
Melissa;  we  w ere  anxious  to  inform  you, 
that  we  have  just  received  a  letter  from  my 
brother,  in  which  he  desires  us  to  present 
you  his  most  friendly  respects,  and  complains 
of  your  not  writing  to  him  lately  so  fre- 
quently as  usual."  Alonzo  thanked  her  for 
the  information  ;  said  that  business  prevent- 
ed him ;  he  esteemed  him  as  his  most  val- 
uable friend,  and  would  be  more  particular 
in  future. 

"We  have  been  thronged  with  company 
for  several  days,  said  Melissa.  Once  a  year 
iny  father  celebrates  his  birth  day,  when  we 
are  honoured  with  so  numerous  a  company 
of  uncles,  aunts,cousins,  nephews  and  nieces, 
that  were  you  present,  you  would  suppose  we 
were  connected  with  half  the  families  in  Con- 
necticut. The  last  of  this  company  took 
their  departure  yesterday,  and  I  have  only 
to  regret,  that  I  have  for  nearly  a  week,  been 
prevented  from  visiting  my  favourite  hill,  to 
which  you  attended  me  when  you  was  last 
here.  It  is  much  improved  since  then  :  I 
have  had  a  little  aibour  built  under  the  large 
tree  on  its  summit :  you  will  have  no  ob- 
jection to  view  it,  Alonzo  ?"  He  assured 
her  he  accepted  the  icvitation  with  pleasure. 


AhONZO    AND    MELISSA.  25 

and  towards  evening  they  resorted  to  the 
place  and  seated  themselves  in  the  arbour. 
'  It  was  the  beginning  of  autumn,  and  <» 
yellow  hue  was  spread  over  the  fading 
charms  of  nature.  The  withering  forest  be- 
gan to  shed  its  decaying  foliage,  which  the 
light  gales  pursued  along  the  russet  fieids. 
The  low  sun  extended  the  lengthening 
shadows  ;  curling  smoke  ascended  from  the 
surrounding  cottages.  A  thick  fog  crept  a- 
long-  the  vallies  ;  a  gray  mist  hovered  over 
the  tops  of  the  mountains.  The  glassy  sur- 
face of  the  sound  glittered  to  the  sun's  de- 
parting ray.  The  solemn  herds  lowed  in 
monotonous  symphony.  The  autumnal  in- 
sects in  sympathetic  wafting,  plaintively 
predicted  their  approaching  fate.  "  The 
scene  is  changed  since  we  last  visited  this 
place,  said  Melissa  ;  the  gay  charms  of  sum- 
mer are  beginning  to  decay,  and  must  soon 
yield  their  splendors  to  the  rude  despoil- 
ing hand  of  winter." 

"  That  will  be  the  case,  said  Alonzo,  be- 
fore I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  your  com- 
pany here  again." 

Mel.  That  probably  may  be,  though  it 
is  nearly  two  months  yet  to  winter. 

Al.  Great  changes  may  take  place  with- 
in that  time. 

Mel.  Yes,  changes  must  take  place  ;  but 


26  AI.'^TO   AND    MELISSA. 

nothing,  I  hope,  to  embitter  present  pros- 
pects. 

Al.  (peevishly.)  As  it  respects  your- 
self, I  trust  not,  madam. 

Mel.  (tenderly.)  And  I  sincerely  hope 
not,  as  it  respects  you,  Alonzo. 

Al.     That  wish,  I  believe,  is  vain. 

Mel.     Why  so  ominous  a  prediction  ? 

Al.  The  premises,  from  which  it  is 
drawn,  are  correct. 

Mel.  Your  feelings  accord  with  the  sea- 
son, Alonzo  ;  you  are  melancholy  Shall 
we  return  ? 

Al.  I  ask  your  pardon,  madam;  1  know 
I  am  unsociable.  You  speak  of  returning  : 
You  know  the  occasion  of  my  being  here. 

Mel.  For  the  purpose  of  visiting  your 
friends,  I  presume. 

Al.     And  no  other  ? 

She  made  no  reply. 

Al.  You  cannot  have  forgotten  your  own 
appointment,  and  consequent  engagement  ? 

She  made  no  answer. 

Al.  I  know,  Melissa,  that  you  are  inca- 
pable of  duplicity  or  evaswMjL  I  have  prom- 
ised, and  now  repeat  t$|Heclaration,  that 
I  will  silently  submit  to  jfour  decision.  This 
you  have  engaged  to  make,  and  this  is  the 
time  you  have  appointed.  The  pains  of  pres- 
ent suspense  can  scarcely  be  surpassed  by 
the  pangs  of  disappointment.  On  your  part 


A.LONZO    AND    MELISSA.  27 

you  have  nothing  to  fear.  I  trust  you  have 
candidly  determined,  and  will  decide  ex- 
plicitly. 

Mel.  (sighing.)  I  am  placed  in  an  ex- 
ceedingly delicate  situation. 

Al.  I  know  you  are ;  but  your  own  hon- 
our, your  own  peace,  require  that  you  should 
extricate  yourself  from  the  perplexing  em- 
barrassment. 

Mel.  I  am  sensible  they  do.  It  must—- 
it shall  be  done. 

Al.     And  the  sooner  it  is  done  the  better. 

Mel.  That  I  am  convinced  of.  I  now 
know  that  I  have  been  inadvertently  indis- 
creet. I  have  admitted  the  addresses  of 
Beauman  and  yourself,  without  calculating 
or  expecting  the  consequences.  You  have 
both  treated  me  honourably,  and  with  re- 
spect. You  are  both  on  equal  grounds  as  to 
your  character  and  standing  in  life.  With 
Beauman  I  became  first  acquainted.  As  it 
relates  to  him,  some  new  arrangements 
have  taken  place  since  you  were  here, 
which 

Al.  (interrupting  her,  with  emotion.)  Ol 
those  arrangements  I  am  acquainted. 

Mel.  (surprised.)  By  what  means  were 
you  informed  thereof? 

Al.  I  received  it  from  a  friend  in  your 
neighbourhood. 

A  considerable  pause  endued. 


28  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

Al.  You  see,  Melissa,  I  am  prepared  for 
the  event. — She  was  silent. 

Al.  I  have  mentioned  before,  that,  what- 
ever be  your  decision,  no  impropriety  can 
attach  to  you.  1  might  not,  indeed,  from 
various  circumstances,  and  from  the  infor- 
mation I  possess,  I  perhaps  should  not,  have 
given  you  farther  trouble  on  the  occasion, 
had  it  not  been  from  your  own  direction 
and  appointment.  And  I  am  now  willing 
to  retire  without  further  explanation,  with- 
out giving  you  the  pain  ot  an  express  deci- 
sion, if  you  think  the  measure  expedient. 
Your  declaration  can  only  be  a  matter  of 
form,  the  consequence  of  which  I  know, 
and  my  proposition  may  save  your  feelings. 

Mel.  No,  Alonzo ;  my  reputation  de- 
fends on  my  adherence  to  ray  first  deter- 
mination ;  justice  to  yourself  and  to  Beau- 
man  also  demand  it.  After  what  has  pass- 
ed, I  should  be  considered  as  acting  capri- 
ciously and  inconsistently,  should  I  depart 
from  it.  Beauman  will  be  here  to-morrow, 
and 

Al.     To-morrow,  madam  ? 

Mel.  He  will  be  here  to-morrow,  and 
you  must- consent  to  stay  \vith  us  until  that 
time  ;  the  matter  shall  then  be  decided. 

Al.  I — yes — it  shall  be  as  you  say,  ma- 
dam. Make  your  arrangements  as  you 
please. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  29 

Evening  had  now  spread  her  dusky  man- 
tle over  the  face  of  nature.  The  stars  glis- 
tened in  the  sky.  The  breeze's  rustling 
wing  was  in  the  tree.  The  "slitty  sound" 
of  the  low  murmuring  brook,  and  the  far  off 
water-fall,  were  faintly  heard.  The  twink- 
ling fire-fly  arose  from  the  surrounding  ver- 
dure and  illuminated  the  air  with  a  thou- 
sand transient  gleams.  The  mingling  dis- 
cordance of  curs  and  watch-dogs  echoed  in 
the  distant  village,  from  whence  the  fre- 
quent lights  darted  their  palely  lustre  thro' 
the  gloom.  The  solitary  whippoorwills  sta- 
tioned themselves  along  the  woody  glens, 
the  groves  and  rocky  pastures,  and  sung  a 
requiem  to  departed  summer.  'A  dark  cloud 
was  rising  in  the  west,  across  whose  gloomy 
front  the  vivid  lightning  bent  its  forky  spires. 

Alonzo  and  Melissa  moved  slowly  to  the 
village ;  she  appeared  enraptured  with  the 
melancholy  splendours  of  the  evening,  but 
the  other  subject  engaged  the  mental  atten- 
tion of  Alonzo. 

Beauman  arrived  the  next  day.  He  gave 
his  hand  to  Alonzo  with  seeming  warmth  of 
friendship.  If  it  was  reciprocated,  it  must 
have  been  affected.  There  was  no  altera- 
tion in  the  manners  and  conversation  of 
Melissa :  her  conversation,  as  usual,  was 
sprightly  and  interesting.  After  dinner  she 
retired,  and  her  father  requested  Alonzo 
3* 


30  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

and  Beauman  to  withdraw  with  him  to  a 
private  room.  After  they  were  seated,  the 
old  gentlemen  thus  addressed  them : 

"  I  have  called  you  here,  gentlemen,  to 
perform  my  duty  as  a  parent  to  my  daugh- 
ter, and  as  a  friend  to  you.  You  are  both 
suitors  to  Melissa  ;  while  your  addresses 
were  merely  formal,  they  were  innocent ; 
but  when  they  became  serious  they  were 
dangerous.  Your  pretensions  I  consider 
equal,  and  between  honourable  pretenders, 
who  are  worthy  of  my  daughter,  I  shall  not 
attempt  to  influence  her  choice.  That 
choice,  however,  can  rest  only  on  one :  she 
has  engaged  to  decide  between  you.  I  am 
come  to  make,  in  her  name,  this  decision. 
The  following  are  my  terms  : — No  quarrel 
or  difficulty  shall  arise  between  you,  gen- 
tlemen, in  consequence  of  her  determina- 
tion. Nothing  shall  go  abroad  respecting 
the  affair;  it  shall  be  ended  under  my  roof. 
As  soon  as  I  have  pronounced  her  declara- 
tion, you  shall  both  depart  and  absent  my 
house  for  at  least  two  weeks,  as  it  would  be 
improper  for  my  daughter  to  see  either  of 
FOU  at  present:  after  that  period  I  shall  be 
happy  to  receive  your  visits." — Alouzo  and 
Beauman  pledged  their  honour  to  abide  im- 
plicitly by  these  injunctions.  Her  father 
then  observed— "This,  gentlemen,  is  all  I 
require.  I  have  observed  that  i  considered 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  31 

your  pretensions  equal:  so  has  my  daugh- 
ter treated  them.  You  have  both  made 
professions  to  h^r;  she  has  appointed  a 
lime  to  answer  you.  That  time  has  arri- 
ved, and  I  now  inform  you  that  she  has  de- 
cided m  favour  of — Alonzo." 

The  declaration  of  Melissa's  father  burst 
upon  the  mental  powers  of  Beauman,  like 
a  sudden  and  tremendous  clap  of  thunder 
on  the  deep  and  solemn  silence  of  night 
Unaccustomed  to  disappointment,  he  had 
calculated  on  success.  His  addresses  to  the 
ladies  had  ever  been  honourably  received. 

Melissa  was  the  first  whose  charms  were 
capable  of  rendering  them  sincere.  He  was 
aot  ignorant  of  Alonzo's  attention  to  her : 
it  gave  him  however  but  little  uneasiness. 
He  believed  that  his  superior  qualifications 
would  eclipse  the  pretensions  of  his  rival. 
He  considered  himself  a  connoisseur  in 
character,  especially  in  the  character  of  the 
fadies.  He  conformed  to  their  taste;  he 
flattered  their  foibles,  and  obsequiously 
bowed  to  the  minutia  of  female  volatility. 
He  considered  himself  skilled  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  heart ;  and  he  trusted  that  from 
his  pre-eminent  powers  in  the  science  of 
affection,  he  had  only  to  see,  to  sue  and  to 
conquer.  He  had  frankly  offered  liis  hand 
to  Melissa,  and  pressed  her  for  a  decisive  an- 
swer. This  from  time  to  time  s>ae  suspen- 


32  ALONZO    AND   MELISSA. 

ded,  and  finally  appointed  a  day  to  give 
him  and  Alonzo  a  determinate  answer, 
though  neither  knew  the  arrangements 
made  with  the  other. 

Finding,  however,  the  dilemma  in  which 
she  was  placed,  she  had  previously  consult- 
ed her  parents.  Her  father  had  no  objec- 
tion to  her  choosing  between  two  persons 
of  equal  claims  to  affluence  and  reputation  ; 
this  choice  she  had  made,  and  her  father 
was  considered  the  most  proper  person  to 
pronounce  it. 

When  Beauman  had  urged  his  suit  to 
Melissa,  he  supposed  that  her  hesitations, 
delays  and  suspensions,  were  only  the  ef- 
fects of  maiden  diffidence  and  timidity.  He 
nad  no  suspicions  of  her  ultimately  reject- 
ing it ;  and  when  she  finally  named  the  day 
of  decision,  he  was  confident  she  would 
decide  in  his  favour.  These  sentiments  he 
had  communicated  to  the  person  who  had 
written  to  Alonzo,  intimating  that  Melissa 
had  fixed  a  time  which  was  to  crown  his 
happiest  wishes. 

He  had  listened  therefore  attentively  to 
the  words  of  Melissa's  father,  momentarily 
expecting  to  hear  himself  declared  the  fa- 
vourite choice  of  the  ffinr. 

What  then  must  have  been  his  disappoint- 
ment when  the  name  of  Alonzo  was  pro- 
nounced instead  of  his  own !  The  highly  fin- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  31* 

ished  scene  of  pleasure  and  future  prosper- 
ity which  his  ardent  imagination  had  depic- 
ted, had  vanished  in  a  moment  The  rain- 
bow glories  which  gilded  his  youthful  hori- 
zon, had  faded  in  an  instant — the  bright  sun 
of  his  early  hopes  had  set  in  mournful  dark- 
ness. The  summons  of  death  would  not 
have  been  more  unexpected,  or  more  shock- 
ing to  his  imagination. 

Very  different  were  the  sensations  which 
inspired  the  bosom  of  Alonzo.  He  had  not 
even  calculated  on  a  decision  in  his  own  fa- 
vour. He  believed  that  Beauman  would  be 
the  choice  of  Melissa.  She  had  told  him 
that  the  form  of  decision  was  necessary  to 
save  appearances :  with  this  form  he  com- 
plied because  she  desired  it,  not  because  he 
expected  the  result  would  be  in  his  favour. 
He  had  not  therefore  attended  to  the  words 
of  Melissa's  father  with  that  eagerness  which 
favourable  anticipations  commonly  produce. 
B'U  when  his  name  was  mentioned;  when 
he  found  he  was  the  choice — the  happy 
favourite  of  Melissa's  affection,  every  tender 
passion  of  his  soul  became  interested,  and 
was  suddenly  aroused  to  the  refinements  of 
sensibility.  Like  an  electric  shock,  it  rean- 
imated his  whole  frame,  and  vibrated  every 
serve  of  IMS  heart.  The  glooms  which 
hung  about  his  mind  were  dissipated,  am! 

B 


34  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

the  bright  morning  of  joy  broke  in  upon  his 
soul. 

Thus  were  the  expectations  of  Alonzo 
and  Beauman  disappointed — how  different- 
ly, the  sequel  has  shown. 

Melissa's  father  retired  immediately  after 
pronouncing  the  declaration ;  the  two  young 
gentlemen  also  soon  after  withdrew.  Alon- 
zo saw  the  tempest  which  tore  the  bosom 
of  his  rival,  and  he  pitied  him  from  his  heart. 

A  fortnight  passed,  and  Alonzo  felt  all 
that  anxiety  and  impatience  which  a  sepa- 
ration from  a  beloved  object  can  produce. 
He  framed  a  thousand  excuses  to  visit  Me- 
lissa, yet  he  feared  a  visit  might  be  prema- 
ture. He  was,  however,  necessitated  to 
make  a  journey  to  a  distant  part  of  the  coun- 
try, after  which  he  resolved  to  see  Melissa. 
He  performed  his  business,  and  was  return- 
ing. It  was  toward  evening,  and  the  day 
had  been  uncommonly  sultry  for  the  autum- 
nal season.  A  rising  shower  blackened  the 
western  hemisphere  ;  the  dark  vapour  as- 
cended in  folding  ridges,  and  the  thunder 
rolled  at  a  distance.  Alonzo  saw  he  should 
be  overtaken.  He  discovered  an  elegant 
seat  aLout  one  hundred  yards  distant  from 
the  road  ;  thither  he  hastened  to  gain  shel- 
ter from  the  approaching  storm.  The  own- 
er of  the  mansion  met  him  at  the  door,  po- 
litely invited  him  to  alight  and  walk  in, 


ALONZO    AND   MELISSA.  35 

while  a  servant  stood  ready  to  take  his  horse. 
He  was  ushered  into  a  large  room  neatly 
furnished,  where  the  family  and  several 
young  ladies  were  sitting.  As  Alonzo  glanc- 
ed his  eyes  hastily  around  the  room,  hi 
thought  he  recognized  a  familiar  counte- 
nance. A  hurried  succession  of  confused 
ideas  for  a  moment  crossed  his  recollection. 
In  a  moment  he  discovered  that  it  was  Me- 
lissa. By  this  unexpected  meeting  they 
were  both  completely  embarrassed.  Melis- 
sa, however,  arose,  and  in  rather  a  confused 
manner,  introduced  Alonzo,  as  the  class- 
mate of  fyer  brother,  to  the  family  of  Mr. 
Simpson  and  the  company. 

The  rain  continued  most  part  of  the  after- 
noon. Alonzo  was  invited,  and  consented 
to  stay  all  night  A  moon-light  evening 
succeeded  the  shower,  which  invited  the 
young  people  to  walk  in  an  adjoining  gar- 
den. Melissa  told  Alonzo  that  Mr.  Simp- 
son was  a  distant  relative  of  her  father ;  his 
family  consisted  of  his  wife,  two  amiable 
daughters,  not  far  from  Melissa's  age,  and 
one  son,  named  William,  about  seventeen 
years  old.  She  had  been  invited  there  to 
pass  a  week,  and  expected  to  return  within 
two  days.  And  she  adde^l,  smiling,  "  per- 
haps, Alonzo,  we  may  have  an  opportunity 
once  more  to  visit  the  bower  on  my  pros- 
pect hill,  before  winter  entirely  destroys  the 


36  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

remaining  beauties  of  the  summer."  Abn- 
zo  felt  all  the  force  of  the  remark.  He  re- 
collected the  conversation  when  they  were 
last  at  the  place  she  mentioned;  and  he 
well  remembered  his  feelings  on  that  occa- 
sion. 

"  Great  changes,  indeed,  he  replied,  have 
taken  place  since  we  were  last  tbere :  that 
they  are  productive  of  unexpected  and  unex- 
ampled happiness  to  me,  is  due,  Melissa,  to 
you  alone."  Alonzo  departed  the  next 
morning,  appointing  the  next  week  to  visit 
Melissa  at  her  father's  house. 

Thus  were  the  obstacles  removed  which 
presented  a  barrier  to  the  united  wishes  of 
Alonzo  and  Melissa.  They  Lad  not,  it  is 
true,  been  separated  by  wide  seas,  unfeeling 
parents,  or  the  rigorous  laws  of  war ;  but 
troubles,  vexatious,  doubts  and  difficulties, 
had  thus  far  attended  them,  which  had  now 
disappeared,  and  they  calculated  on  no  un- 
propitious  event  which  might  thwart  their 
future  union.  All  the  time  that  Alonzo 
could  spare  from  his  studies  was  devoted  to 
Melissa,  and  their  parents  began  to  calculate 
on  joining  their  hands  as  soon  as  Alonzo's 
professional  term  of  study  was  completed. 

The  troubles  which  gave  rise  to  the  dis- 
severation  of  England  from  America  had  al- 
ready commenced,  which  broke  out  the  en- 
suing spring  into  actual  hostilities,  by  thj 


ALONZO    AND    MEL'SSA.  37 

battle  at  Lexington,  followed  soon  after  by 
the  battle  at  Bunker  Hill.  The  panic  and 
general  bustle  which  took  place  in  Ameri- 
ca on  these  events,  is  yet  well  remembered 
by  many.  They  were  not  calculated  to  im- 
press the  mind  of  Melissa  with  the  most 
pleasing  sensations.  She  foresaw  that  the 
burden  of  the  war  must  rest  on  the  Ameri- 
can youth,  and  she  trembled  in  anticipation 
for  the  fate  of  Alonzo.  He,  with  others, 
should  the  war  continue,  must  take  the  field, 
in  defence  of  his  country.  The  effects  of 
such  a  separation  were  dubious  and  gloo- 
my. Alonzo  and  she  frequently  discoursed, 
and  they  agreed  to  form  the  mystic  union 
previous  to  any  wide  separation. 

One  event  tended  to  hasten  this  resolu- 
tion. The  attorney  in  whose  office  Alonzo 
was  clerk,  received  a  commission  in  the 
new  raised  American  army,  and  marched  to 
the  lines  near  Boston.  His  business  was 
therefore  suspended,  and  Alonzo  returned  to 
the  house  of  his  father.  He  considered  that 
he  could  not  long  remain  a  mere  spectator 
of  the  contest,  and  that  it  might  soon  be  his 
duty  to  take  the  field ;  he  therefore  con- 
cluded it  best  10  hasten  his  marriage  with 
Melissa.  She  consented  to  the  proposition, 
and  their  parents  made  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements for  the  event.  They  had  even 
fixed  upon  the  place  which  was  to  be  the 
4 


38  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

future  residence  of  this  happy  couple.  It 
was  a  pleasantly  situated  village,  surround- 
ed by  rugged  elevations,  which  gave  an  air 
of  serenity  and  seclusion  to  the  valley  they 
encircled.  On  the  south  arose  a  spacious 
hill,  which  was  ascended  by  a  gradual  ac- 
clivity ;  its  sides  and  summit  interspersed 
with  orchards,  arbours,  and  cultivated  fields. 
On  the  west,  forests  unevenly  lifted  their 
rude  heads,  with  here  and  there  a  solitary 
field,  newly  cleared,  and  thinly  scattered 
'with  cottages.  To  the  cast,  the  eye  extend- 
ed over  a  soil,  at  one  time  swelling  into 
craggy  elevations,  and  at  another  spreading 
itself  into  vales  of  the  most  enchanting  ver- 
dure. To  the  north  it  extended  over  a  vast 
succession  of  mountains,  wooded  to  their 
summits,  and  throwing  their  shadows  over 
intervales  of  equal  wilderness,  till  at  length 
it  was  arrested  in  its  excursions  by  the  blue 
mists  which  hovered  over  mountains  more 
grand,  majestic  and  lofty.*  A  rivnlet  which 
rushed  from  the  hills,  formed  a  little  lake 
on  the  borders  of  the  village,  which  beauti- 
fully reflected  the  cottages  from  its  transpar- 
ent bosom.  Amid.st  a  cluster  of  locusts  and 
weeping  willows,  rose  the  spire  of  the  church, 
in  the  ungarnished  decency  of  Sunday  neat 
n2ss.  Fields,  gardens,  meadows,  and  pas- 

•Some  who  r^a'l  this  description  will  reaiily    recognize   ihe 

' 


ALONZO    A.ND    MELISSA.  39 

t  j  were  spread  around  the  valley,  and  on 
thw  sides  of  the  declivities,  yielding  is 
their  season  the  rich  flowers,  fruits  and  foli- 
age of  spring,  summer  vtnd  autumn.  The 
inhabitants  of  this  modern  Auvernum  were 
mostly  farmers.  They  were  mild,  sociable, 
moral  and  diligent.  The  produce  of  their 
own  flocks  and  fields  gave  them  most  of 
their  food  and  clothing.  To  dissipation 
they  were  strangers,  and  the  luxuries  of 
their  tables  were  fcw. 

Such  was  the  place  for  the  residence  of 
Alonzo  and  Melissa.  They  had  visited  the 
spot,  and  were  enraptured  with  its  pensive, 
romantic  beauties.  A  site  was  marked  out 
whereon  to  erect  their  family  mansion.  It 
was  on  a  little  eminence  which  sloped  grad- 
ually to  the  lake,  in  the  most  pleasant  part 
of  the  village.  "  Here,  said  Alonzo  one 
day  to  Melissa,  will  we  pass  our  days  in  all 
that  felicity  of  mind  which  the  chequered 
scenes  of  life  admit.  In  the  spring  we  will 
rove  among  the  flowers.  In  summer,  we 
will  gather  strawberries  in  yonder  fields,  or 
whortleberries  from  the  adjacent  shrubbery. 
1  he  breezes  of  fragrant  morning,  and  the 
sighs  of  the  evening  gale,  will  be  mingled 
with  the  songs  of  the  thousand  various  bird 
which  frequent  the  surrounding  groves. 
We  will  gather  the  bending  fruits  of  autumn, 
and  we  will  listen  to  the  hoarse  voice  of 


40  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

winter,    its    whistling    winds,    its    driving 
snow,  and  rattling  hail,  with  delight" 

The  bright  gems  of  joy  glistened  in  the 
eyes  of  Melissa.  With  Alonzo  she  antici- 
pated approaching  happiness,  and  her  bo- 
som beat  in  rapturous  unison. 

Winter  came  on  ;  it  rapidly  passed  away. 
Spring  advanced,  and  the  marriage  day  was 
appointed. 

The  spring  opened  with  the  din  cf  prep- 
aration throughout  America  for  defensive 
war.  It  now  was  found  that  vigorous  mea- 
sures must  be  pursued  to  oppose  the  tor- 
rent which  was  preparing  to  overwhelm  the 
colonies,  which  had  now  been  dissevered 
from  the  British  empire,  by  the  declaration  ' 
of  independence.  The  continental  army 
was  now  raising,  and  great  numbers  of  A- 
merican  youth  volunteered  in  the  service 
of  their  country.  A  large  army  of  rein- 
forcements was  soon  expected  from  England 
to  land  on  our  shores,  and  "  the  confused 
noise  of  the  warriors,  and  garments  rolled 
in  blood,"  were  already  anticipated. 

Alonzo  had  received  a  commission  in  a 
regiment  of  militia,  and  was  pressed  by  sev- 
eral young  gentlemen  of  his  acquaintance, 
who  had  entered  the  army,  to  join  it  also. 
He  had  an  excuse.  His  father  was  a  man 
in  extensive  business,  was  considerably  past 
the  prime  of  life,  had  a  number  of  agents 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA,  41 

and  clerks  under  him,  but  began  to  grow 
unable  to  attend  to  the  various  and  bur- 
thensome  duties  and  demands  of  a  mercan- 
tile life. 

Alon/.o  was  his  only  son;  his  assistance 
therefore  became  necessary  until,  at  least, 
his  father  could  bring  his  business  to  a  close, 
which  he  was  now  about  to  effect.  Alonxe 
stated  these  facts  to  his  friends;  told  them 
that  on  every  occasion  he  should  be  ready 
to  ily  to  the  post  of  danger  when  his  coun- 
try was  invaded,  and  that  as  soon  as  his  fath- 
er's affairs  should  be  settled,  he  would,  if 
necessary,  willingly  join  the  army. 

The  day  now  rapidly  approached  when 
Alon/o  was  to  make  Melissa  his  own.  Pre- 
parations for  the  hymeneal  ceremc  ny  were 
n>aking,  and  invitations  had  already  gone 
abroad.  Edgar,  the  brother  of  Melissa 
had  entered  the  army  in  the  capacity  ol 
chaplain.  He  was  soon  expected  home, 
where  he  intended  to  tarry  until  the  con- 
summation of  the  nuptials,  before  he  setoui 
lor  the  camp.  Letters  recently  received, 
from  him,  informed  that  he  expected  to  be 
at  his  father's  in  three  or  four  days. 

About  three  weeks  previous  to  the  ap- 
pointed marriage  day,  Alonxo  and  Melissa 
one  afternoon  rode  out  to  the  village  wlurh 
had  been  chosen  for  IHeir  future  residence. 
Their  carriage  stopped  at  the- only  inn  in  the 


42  AlONZD    AND    MELISSA. 

place,  and  from  thence  they  walked  around 
this  modern  Vaucluse,  oharmtd  with  the  se- 
cluded beauties  of  its  situation.  They  pass- 
ed a  iittle  time  at  the  spot  selected  tor  theu 
habitation  ;  they  projected  the  structure  of 
the  buildings,  planned  the  gardens,  the  nr- 
tificiai  groves,  the  walks,  the  mead,  the 
fountains,  and  the  green  retreat  of  the  sum- 
mer house,  and  they  already  saw,  in  antici- 
pation, the  various  domestic  blessings  and 
feli':it:es  with  which  they  were  to  be  sur- 
rounded. 

They  took  tea  at  the  inn,  and  prepared  to 
return.  It  was  at  the  latter  end  of  the 
month  of  May,  and  nature  was  adorned  in 
the  bridal  ornaments  of  spring;  the  sun  was 
sunk  behind  the  groves,  which  cast  their 
sombre  shades  over  the  valley,  while  the 
retiring  beams  of  day  adorned  the  distant 
eastern  eminences  with  yellow  lustre. 

The  birds  sung  melodiouslv  in  the  groves, 
the  air  was  freshened  by  light  western  bree- 
zes, bearing  upon  their  wings  all  the  en- 
trancing odours  of  the  season.  Around  the 
horizon,  electric  clouds  rsrised  their  brazen 
summits,  based  in  the  black  vapour  of  ap- 
proaching night. 

They  slowly  ascended  the  hill  south  of 
the  town,  where  they  paused  a  few  mo- 
ments to  enjoy  the  splendours  of  .he  even- 
ing scene.  This  hill,  which  con  Handed  a 


AKVNZO    AISD    MELISSA.  43 

prospect  of  all  the  surrounding  country,  the 
distant  sound,  and  the  adjacent  towns  and 
villages,  presented  to  the  eye,  on  a  single 
view,  perhaps  one  of  the  most  picturesqut 
draperies  painted  by  nature.  Alonzo  at- 
tended Melissa  to  her  father's,  and  the  nex* 
day  returned  home. 

His  father  had  been  absent  for  three  or 
four  days  to  one  of  the  commercial  seaports, 
on  business  with  some  merchants  with  whom 
he  WHS  connected  in  trade.  He  returned 
the  next  day  after^Alonzo  got  home  : — his 
aspect  and  his  conversation  were  marked 
with  an  assumed  and  unmeaning  cheerful- 
ness. At  supper  he  ate  nothing,  discours- 
ed much,  but  in  an  unconnected  and  hurri- 
ed manner,  interrupted  by  long  pauses,  in 
which  he  appeared  to  be  buried  in  contem- 
plation. 

After  supper,  he  asked  Alonzo  if  it  were 
not  possible  that  his  marriage  with  Melissa 
could  be  consummated  within  a  few  days. 
Alonzo,  startled  at  so  unexpected  a  ques- 
tion, replied,  that  such  a  proposal  would  be 
considered  extraordinary,  perhaps  impropei. 
besides,  when  Melissa  had  iix^d  the  day 
she  mentioned  that  she  had  an  uncle  who 
lived  near  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina, 
whose  daughter  was  to  pass  the  summer 
with  Melissa,  and  was  expected  to  arrive  be- 
fore the  appointed  day.  It  would  he  said, 


44  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

be  a  delicate  point  for  him  to  requ  i.  t  her  to 
anticipate  the  nuptials,  unless  he  could  giv  e 
some  cogent  reasons  for  so  doing ;  and  at 
present  he  was  not  apprised  that  any  such 
existed.  His  father,  after  a  few  moments 
hesitation,  answered,  "  I  have  reasons, 
which,  when  told" — here  he  stopped,  sud- 
denly arose,  hastily  walked  the  room  in 
much  vissible  agony  cf  mind,  and  then  re- 
tired to  his  chamber. 

Alonzo  and  his  mother  were  much  amaz- 
ed at  so  strange  a  proceeding.  They  could 
form  no  conjecture  of  its  cause  or  its  conse- 
quence. Alonzo  passed  a  sleepless  night. 
His  father's  slumbers  were  interrupted.  He 
would  frequently  start  up  in  the  bed,  then 
sink  in  restless  sleep,  with  incoherent  mut- 
terings,  and  plaintive  moans.  In  the  morn' 
ing,  when  he  appeared  at  breakfast,  his 
countenance  wore  the  marks  of  dejection 
and  anguish. 

He  scarcely  spoke  a  word,  and  after  th* 
table  was  removed,  he  ordeied  all  to  with- 
draw except  his  wife  and  Alonzo  ;  when, 
with  emotions  that  spoke  the  painful  feel- 
ings of  his  bos^m,  he  Jius  addressed  them: 

"  For  moie  than  forty  years  I  have  toiled 
early  and  late  to  acquire  independence  and 
ease  for  myself  and  my  family.  To  accom- 
plish this,  I  became  connected  with  some 
English  importing  merchants  in  a  seaport 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  *5 

town,  and  went  largely  into  the  English 
trade.  Success  crowned  our  endeavours  ; 
on  balancing  our  accounts  two  years  ago, 
we  found  that  our  expectations  were  an- 
swered, and  that  we  were  now  sufficiently 
wealthy  to  close  business,  which  some  pro- 
posed to  do ;  it  was,  however,  agreed  to 
make  one  effort  more,  as  some  favourable 
circumstances  appeared  to  offer,  in  which 
we  adventured  very  largely,  on  a  fair  calcu- 
lation of  liberal  and  extensive  proceeds. 

"  Before  returns  could  be  made,  the  war 
came  on,  embarrassments  ensued,  and  by 
indubitable  intelligence  lately  received,  we 
find  that  our  property  in  England  has  been 
sequestered ;  live  of  our  ships,  laden  with 
English  goods,  lying  in  English  harbours, 
and  just  ready  to  sail  for  America,  have  been 
seized  as  lawful  prizes.  Added  to  this, 
three  vessels  from  the  Indies,  laden  with  is- 
land produce,  have  been  taken  on  their 
homeward  bound  voyage,  and  one  lost  on 
her  return  from  Holland.  This  wreck  of 
fortune  I  might  have  survived,  had  I  to  sus- 
tain only  my  equal  dividend  of  the  loss  :  but 
of  the  merchants  with  whom  I  have  been 
connected,  not  one  remaics  to  share  the  fate 
of  the  event;  all  have  absconded  or  secret- 
ed themselves.  To  attempt  to  compound 
with  my  creditors  would  be  of  little  avail ; 
my  whole  fortune  will  not  pay  one  fourth 


46  ALONZO    AND    MZLISS.1. 

of  the  debts  ;  so  that,  compound  or  not,  tlift 
consequence  to  me  is  inevitable  ruin. 

"  To  abscond  would  not  secure  me,  as 
most  of  my  remaining  property  is  vested  in 
real  estate.  And  even  if  it  would,  I  could 
notconsent  to  it :  I  could  not  consent  to  ban- 
jsh  myself  from  my  country ;  to  rlee  like  a 
felon ;  to  skulk  from  society  with  the  base 
view  of  defrauding  my  creditors.  Xo,  I 
have  lived  honestly,  and  honestly  will  I  die. 
By  fair  application  and  long  industry  my 
wealth  has  been  obtained  ;  and  it  shall  nev- 
er justly  be  said,  that  the  reputation  of  my 
latter  days  was  stained  with  acts  of  base- 
ness and  meanness.  I  have  notified  and 
procured  a  meeting  of  the  creditors,  and 
have  laid  the  matters  before  them.  Some 
appeared  favourable  to  me ;  others  insinua- 
ted that  we  were  all  connected  in  fraudu- 
lent designs,  to  swindle  our  creditors.  This 
I  repelled  with  becoming  spirit,  and  was  in 
consequence  threatened  with  immediate 
prosecution.  Whatever  may  be  th-3  event, 
I  had  some  hopes  that  your  happiness,  A- 
lonzo,  might  yet  be  secured.  Hence  I  pro- 
posed your  union  with  Melissa,  before  our 
misfortunes  should  be  promulgated.  Your 
parents  are  old ;  a  little  will  serve  the  resi- 
due of  their  days.  With  your  acquirements 
you  may  make  your  way  in  life.  I  s»hall 
have  no  property  to  give  you;  but  I  woulf 


AL.'NZO    AND    MELISSA.  47 

still  wish  yo.i  to  secure  that  which  you  prize 
far  above,  and  without  which,  both  honours 
and  emoluments  are  unimportant  and  worth- 
less." 

At  this  moment  a  loud  rap  at  the  door 
interrupted  the  discourse,  and  tbree  men 
were  ushered  in,  which  proved  to  be  the 
sheriff  and  his  attendants,  sent  by  the  more 
inexorable  creditors  of  Alonzo's  father  and 
company,  to  level  on  the  pioperty  of  the  for- 
mer, which  orders  they  faithfully  executed, 
by  seizing  the  lands,  tenements  and  furni- 
ture, and  finally  arresting  the  body  of  the 
old  gentleman,  which  was  soon  released  by 
his  friendly  neighbours  becoming  bail  for 
his  appearance  ;  but  the  property  was  soon 
after  sold  at  public  veridue,  at  less  than  half 
its  value,  and  Alonzo's  father  and  mother 
were  compelled  to  abandon  the  premises, 
and  take  shelter  in  a  little  hut,  belonging 
to  a  neighbouring  farmer,  illy  and  tempora- 
rily furnished  by  the  gratuitous  liberality  of 
a  few  friends. 

We  will  not  stop  the  reader  to  moralize 
on  this  disastrous  event.  The  feelings  of 
the  family  can  better  be  conceived  than  de- 
tailed. Hurled  in  a  moment  from  the  lofty 
summit  of  affluence  to  the  low  and  barren 
vale  of  poverty  !  Philosophy  came  to  the 
aid  of  the  parents,  but  who  can  realise  the 
feeiirgs  of  the  son!  Thus  suddenly  cut 


43  ALON7O    AND    MELISSA, 

§hort  of  his  prospects,  not  only  of  future 
independence,  but  even  of  support,  what 
would  be  the  event  of  his  suit  to  Melissa, 
and  stipulated  marriage  ?  Was  it  not  prob- 
able that  her  father  would  now  cancel  the 
contract  ?  Could  she  consent  to  be  his 
wife  in  his  present  penurious  situation  ; — 
And  indeed,  could  he  himself  consent  to 
make  her  his  wife,  to  make  her  miserable  ? 

In  this  agitated  frame  of  mind  he  receiv- 
ed a  letter  from  his  friend  in  Melissa's, 
neighbourhood,  requesting  him  to  come  im- 
mediately to  his  house,  whither  he  repair- 
ed the  following  day.  This  person  had  ever 
been  the  unchanging  friend  of  Alonzo;  he 
had  heard  of  the  misfortunes  of  his  fami- 
ly, and  he  deeply  sympathized  in  his  dis- 
tress. He  had  lately  married  and  settled 
in  life :  his  name  was  Vincent. 

When  Alonzo  arrived  at  the  house  of  his 
friend,  he  was  received  with  the  same  dis- 
interested ardour  he  ever  had  been  in  the 
day  of  his  most  unbounded  prosperity. — 
After  being  seated,  Vincent  told  him  that 
the  occasion  of  his  sending  for  him  was  to 
propose  the  adoption  of  certain  measures 
which  he  doubted  not  might  be  considered 
highly  beneficial  as  it  respected  his  future 
peice  and  happiness.  "  Your  family  mis- 
fortunes, continued  Vincent,  I  ave  reaches! 
the  ears  of  Melissa's  father.  I  know  the 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  49 

old  gentleman  too  well  to  believe  he  will 
consent  to  receive  you  as  his  son-in-law, 
under  your  present  embarrassments.  Mon- 
ey is  the  god  to  which  he  implicitly  bows. 
The  case  is  difficult,  but  not  insurmounta- 
ble. You  must  first  see  Melissa  ;  she  is  now 
in  the  next  room.  I  will  introduce  you  in ; 
converse  with  her,  after  which  1  will  lay 
my  plan  before  you." 

Alonzo  entered  the  room ;  Melissa  was 
sitting  by  a  window  which  looked  into  a 
pleasant  garden,  and  over  verdant  meadows 
whose  tall  grass  waved  to  the  evening 
breeze.  Farther  on,  low  vallies  spread  their 
umbrageous  thickets,  where  the  dusky  shad- 
ows of  night  had  begun  to  assemble. 

On  high  hills  beyond,  the  tops  of  lofty 
forests,  majestically  moved  by  the  billowy 
gales,  caught  the  sun's  last  ray.  Fleecy 
summer  clouds  hovered  around  the  verge  of 
the  western  horizon,  spangled  with  silvery 
tints  or  fringed  with  the  gold  of  evening. 

A  mournfully  murmuring  rivulet  purled 
at  a  little  distance  from  the  garden,  on  the 
borders  of  a  small  grove,  from  whence  the 
American  will  dove  wafted  her  sympathet- 
ic moaning  to  the  ear  of  Melissa.  She  sat 
leaning  on  a  small  table  by  the  window, 
which  was  thrown  up.  Her  attention  was 
fixed.  She  did  not  perceive  Vincent  and 
Alonzo  ?.s  they  entered.  They  advanced 
5  C 


50  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

towards  her.  She  turned,  started,  and  a- 
rose.  With  a  melancholy  smile,  and  tremu- 
lor.s  voice,  u  I  supposed,  she  said,  that  it 
was  Mrs.  Vincent  who  was  approaching,  as 
she  has  just  left  the  room."  Her  counte- 
nance appeared  dejected,  which,  on  seeing 
Alonzo,  lighted  up  into  a  languid  sprightli- 
ness.  It  was  evident  she  had  been  weeping. 

Vincent  retired,  and  Alonzo  and  Melissa 
seated  themselves  by  the  window.  a  I  have 
broken  in  upon  your  solitude,  perhaps,  too 
unseasonably,  said  Alonzo.  It  is  however, 
the  fault  of  Vincent : — he  invited  me  to 
walk  into  the  room,  but  did  not  inform- me 
that  you  were  alone."  "Your  presence  was 
sudden  and  unexpected,  but  not  unseasona- 
ble, replied  Melissa.  I  hcpe  that  you  did 
not  consider  any  formality  necessary  in  your 
visits,  AloDzo." 

Alonzo.  I  once  did  not  think  so.  Now 
I  know  not  what  to  think — I  know  not  how 
to  act.  Ycu  have  heard  oi  the  misfortunes 
of  luy  father's  family,  Melissa? 

Mel.  Yes;  I  ha\e  beard  the  circum- 
stances attending  that  event — an  event  in 
'  which  no  one  could  be  more  deeply  inter- 
ested, except  the  immediate  sufferers,  uian 
myself. 

Al.  Your  father  is  also  acquainted  witii 
my  present  situation  ? 

"Mel.     He  is. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  51 

Al.     How  did  he  receive  the  intelligence? 

Mel.     With  deep  regret. 

Al.  And  forbade  you  to  admit  my  ad- 
dresses any  longer  ? 

Mel.     No,  not  absolutely. 

Al.  If  even  in  an  unqualified  or  indirect 
manner,  it  is  proper  I  should  know  it. 

Mel.  Tt  certainly  is.  Soon  after  we  re- 
ceived the  intelligence  of  your  family  mis- 
fortunes, my  father  came  into  the  room 
where  I  was  sitting;  "Melissa,  said  he, 
your  conduct  has  ever  been  that  of  a  dutiful 
child;  mine,  of  an  indulgent  parent. — My 
first,  my  ultimate  wish,  is  to  see  my  chil- 
dren, when  settled  in  life,  happy  and  hon- 
ourably respected.  For  this  purpose,  I  have 
bestowed  on  them  a  proper  education,  and 
design  suitably  to  apportion  my  property  be- 
tween them.  On  their  part,  it  is  expected 
they  will  act  prudently  and  discreetly,  es- 
pecially in  those  things  which  concern  their 
future  peace  and  welfare. — The  principal 
requisite  to  ensure  this  is  a  proper  connex- 
ion in  marriage."  Here  my  father  paused 
a  considerable  time,  and  then  continued — 
"  I  know,  my  child,  that  your  situation  is  a 
very  delicate  one.  Your  marriage  day  is 
appointed  ;  it  was  appointed  under  the  fair- 
est prospects ;  by  the  failure  of  Alonzo's 
father,  those  prospects  have  become  deeply 
darkened,  if  not  totally  obliterated. 


52  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

"  To  commit  your  fortune  through  life,  to 
a  person  unable  to  support  you,  would  be 
hazardous  in  the  extieme.  The  marriage 
day  can  at  least  be  suspended ;  perhaps 
something  more  favourable  i^ay  appear. — 
At  any  rate,  I  have  too  much  confidence  in 
yoar  discretion,  to  suppose  that  you  will,  by 
any  rash  act,  bring  either  poverty  or  re- 
proaeii  upon  yourself  or  your  connexions." 
Thus  spake  my  father,  and  immediately 
withdrew. 

"  In  our  present  dilemma,  said  Alonzo 
what  is  proper  to  be  4°ne  ?" 

It  is  difficult  to  determine,  replied  Me- 
lissa. Should  my*  father  expressly  forbid 
our  union,  he  will  go  all  lengths  to  carry  his 
commands  into  effect.  Although  a  tender 
parent,  he  is  violent  in  his  prejudices,  and 
resolute  in  his  purposes.  I  would  advise 
you  to  call  at  my  father's  house  tomorrow, 
with  your  usual  freedom.  Whatever  may 
be  the  event,  I  shall  deal  sincerely  with  you. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vincent  are  now  my  only 
confidants.  From  them  you  will  he  ena- 
ble to  obtain  information,  should  I  be  de- 
barred from  seeing  you.  I  am  frequently 
here;  they  told  me  they  expected  you,  Vut 
at  what  day  was  notknowa.  Mrs.  Vincent 
has  beeu  my  friend  and  associate  from  my 
earliest  years.  Vincent  you  know.  In 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  53 

In  them  we  can  place  the  utmost  confi- 
dence. My  reliance  on  Providence,  1 
trust,  will  never  be  shaken ;  but  my  fu^ 
lure  prospects,  at  present,  are  dark  and 
gloomy." 

u  Let  us  not  despair,  answered  Alonzo  ; 
perhaps  those  gloomy  clouds  which  now  ho- 
ver around  us,  will  yet  be  dissipated  by  the 
bright  beams  of  joy.  Innocence  and  vir- 
tue are  the  cares  of  Heaven.  There  lies  my 
hope.  •  To-morrow,  as  you  propose,  I  will 
call  at  you  father's." 

Melissa  now  prepared  to  return  home  ;  a 
whippoorwill  tuned  its  nightly  song  at  a 
little  distance ;  but  the  sound,  late  so  cheer- 
ful and  sprightly,  now  passed  heavily  over 
their  hearts. 

When  Alonzo  returned,  Vincent  imfold- 
ed  the  plan  he  had  projected.  u  No  sooner, 
said  he,  was  I  informed  of  your  misfortunes, 
than  I  was  convinced  that  Melissa's  father 
would  endeavour  to  dissolve  your  intended 
union  with  his  daughter.  I  have  known 
him  many  years,  and  however  he  may  dote 
on  h's  children,  or  value  their  happiness, 
he  will  not  hesitate  to  sacriiice  his  other 
feelings  to  the  acquirement  of  riches.  It 
appeared  that  you  had  bat  one  resource  left. 
You  at  d  Melissa  are  now  united  by  the 
most  sa  emn  ties — by  every  rite  except  those 
which  are  merely  ceremonial.  These  ) 
5* 


54  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

would  advise  you  to  enter  into,  and  tru-st  to 
the  consequences.  Mrs.  Vincent  has  pro- 
posed the  scheme  to  Melissa;  but  implicitly 
accustomed  to  filial  obedience,  she  shudders 
at  the  idea  of  a  clandestine  marriage.  But 
when  her  father  shall  proceed  to  rigorous 
measures,  she  will,  I  think,  consent  to  the 
alternative.  And  this  measure,  once  adopt- 
ed, her  father  must  consent  also  ;  or,  ii  not, 
you  secure  your  own  happiness,  and,  what 
you  esteem  more,  that  of  Melissa.'' 

"  But  you  must  be  sensible  of  my  inabili- 
ty to  support  her  as  she  deserves,  replied 
Alonzo,  even  should  she  consent  to  it." 

The  world  is  before  you,  answered  Vin 
cent;  you  have  friends,  you  have  acquire- 
ments which  will  not  fail  you.  In  a  coun- 
try like  this,  you  can  hardly  fail  of  obtain- 
ing a  competency,  which,  with  the  other 
requisites,  will  ensure  y&ur  independence 
and  felicity." 

Alonzo  informed  Vincent  what  had  been 
agreed  upon  between  Melissa  and  himself, 
respecting  his  visiting  h^T  on  the  morrow  ; 
"  after  \vhich,  he  said,  we  will  discourse  fur- 
ther on  the  subject." 

The  next  day  Alonzo  repaired  to  the 
house  of  Melissa's  father.  As  he  approach- 
ed he  saw  Melissa  sitting  in  a  shady  recess 
at  one  end  of  the  garden  near  which  the 
road  passed.  She  was  leaning  with  her 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  55 

head  upon  her  hand,  in  a  pensive  posture ; 
a  deep  dejection  was  depicted  upon  her  fea- 
tures, which  enlivened  into  a  transient  glow 
as  soon  as  she  saw  Alonzo.  She  arose,  met 
him,  and  invited  him  into  the  house. 

Alonzo  was  received  with  a  cool  reserve 
by  all  except  Melissa.  Her  father  saluted 
him  with  a  distant  and  retiring  bow,  as  he 
passed  with  Melissa  to  her  room.  As  soon 
as  they  were  seated,  a  maiden  aunt,  who 
had  doubled  her  teens,  outlived  many  of  her 
supers,  and  who  had  lately  come  to  reside 
with  the  family,  entered,  and  seated  herself 
by  the  window,  alternately  humming  a  tune 
and  impudently  staring  at  Alonzo,  withou' 
speaking  a  word,  except  snappishly,  to  contra 
diet  Melissa  in  any  thing  she  advanced,  which 
the  latter  passed  off  with  only  a  faint  smile. 

This  interruption  was  not  of  long  contin- 
uance. Melissa's  father  entered,  and  re- 
quested the  two  ladies  to  withdraw,  which 
was  instantly  done.  He  then  addressed  A- 

lonzo  as  follows  : "When  I  gave  consent 

for  you  to  marry  my  daughter,  it  was  on 
the  conviction  that  your  future  resources 
would  be  adequate  to  support  her  honoura- 
bly and  independently.  Circumstances 
have  since  taken  place,  which  render  this 
point  extremely  doubtful.  Parental  duty 
and  affection  demand  that  I  should  know 
four  means  and  prospects  before  I  sanction 


56  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

a  proceeding  which   may  reduce  my  child 
to  penury  and  to  want." 

He  paused  for  a  reply,  but  Alonzo  was 
silent.  He  continued — "  You  yourself  must 
acknowledge,  that  to  burthen  yourself  with 
the  expense  of  a  family;  to  transfer  a  wo- 
man from  affluence  to  poverty,  without  e- 
ven  an  object  in  view  to  provide  for  either, 
would  be  the  height  of  folly  and  extrava- 
gance." Again  he  paused,  but  Alonzo  was 
still  silent.  He  proceeded — "  Could  you, 
Alonzo,  suffer  life,  when  you  see  the  \vife 
of  your  bosom,  probably  your  infant  chil- 
dren, pining  in  misery  for  want  of  bread  ? 
And  what  else  have  you  to  expect  if  you 
marry  in  your  present  situation  ?  You 
have  friends  and  well  wishers ;  but  which 
of  them  will  advance  you  four  or  five  thou- 
sand pounds,  as  a  gratuity  ?  My  daughter 
must  be  supported  according  to  her  rank 
and  standing  in  life.  Are  you  enabled  to 
do  this  ?  If  not,  you  cannot  reasonably 
suppose  that  1  shall  consent  to  your  mar- 
rying her.  You  may  say  that  your  acquire- 
ments, your  prudence,  and  your  industry, 
will  procure  you  a  handsome  support  This 
well  may  do  in  single  life ;  but  to  depend 
on  these  for  the  future  exigencies  of  a  fam- 
ily, is  hazarding  peace,  honour  and  reputa- 
tion, at  a  single  game  of  chance.  If,  there- 
fore, you  have  no  resources  or  expectation 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  57 

but  such  as  these,  your  own  judgment  will 
teach  you  the  necessity  of  immediately  re- 
linquishing all  pretensions  to  the  hand  ol 
Melissa" — and  immediately  left  the  room. 

Why  was  Alonzo  speechless  through  the 
v.-hole  of  this  discourse? — What  reply  could 
he  have  made  ?  What  were  the  prospects 
before  him  but  penury,  want,  misery,  and 
woe !  Where,  indeed,  were  the  means  by 
which  Melissa  was  to  be  shielded  from  pov- 
erty, if  connected  with  his  fortunes.  The 
idea  was  not  new.  but  it  came  upon  him 
with  redoubled  anguish.  He  arose  and 
looked  around  for  Melissa,  but  she  was  not 
to  be  seen.  He  left  the  house,  and  walked 
s.owly  towards  Vincent's.  At  a  little  dis- 
tance he  met  Melissa-  who  had  been  stroll- 
ing in  an  adjoining  avenue.  He  informed 
her  of  all  that  had  passed;  it  was  no  more 
than  they  both  expected,  yet  it  was  a  shock 
their  fortitude  could  scarcely  sustain.  Dis- 
appointment seldom  finds  her  votaries  pre- 
pared to  receive  her. 

Melissa  told  Alonzo,  that  her  father's  de- 
terminations were  unchangeable  ;  that  his 
sister  (the  oefore  mentioned  maiden  lady) 
held  a  considerable  influence  over  him,  and 
dictated  the  concerns  of  the  family;  and 
that  from  her,  there  was  nothing  to  hope  in 
their  favour.  Her  mother,  she  said,  was 
her  Triend,  but  could  not  contradict  the 


53  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

will  of  her  father.  Her  brother  would  be 
at  home  in  a  few  days ;  how  he  would  act 
on  this  occasion  she  was  unable  to  say  :  but 
were  he  even  their  friend  he  would  bare 
but  feeble  influence  with  her  father  and 
aunt.  "What  is  to  be  the  end  of  these 
troubles,  continued  Melissa,  it  is  impossible 
to  foresee.  Let  us  trust  in  the  mercy  of 
heaven  and  submit  to  its  dispensations." 

Alonzo  and  Melissa,  in  their  happier  days, 
had,  when  absent,  corresponded  by  letters. 
This  method  it  was  now  thought  best  to 
relinquish.  It  was  agreed  that  Alonzo 
should  come  frequently  to  Vincent's,  where 
Melissa  would  meet  him  as  she  «^uld  find 
opportunities.  Having  concluded  on  this, 
Melissa  returned  home,  and  Alonzo  to  the 
house  of  his  friend. 

Vincent,  after  Alonzo  had  related  the 
manner  of  his  reception  at  Melissa's  fath- 
er's, urged  the  plan  he  had  projected  of 
a  private  marriage.  Alonzo  replied,  that 
even  should  Melissa  consent  to  it,  which  he 
much  doubted,  it  must  be  a  measure  of  the 
last  resort,  and  adopted  only  when  all  oth- 
ers became  fruitless. 

The  next  morning  Alonzo  returned  to  the 
hut  where  his  aged  parents  now  dwelt.  His 
bosom  throbbed  wi'Ji  keen  anguish.  His 
own  fate,  unconnected  with  that  of  Melissa, 
he  considered  of  little  consequence.  But 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  59 

their  united  situation  tortured  his  soul. — 
What  was  to  become  of  Melissa,  what  of 
himself,  what  of  his  parents  ! — "Alas,  said 
Alonzo,  I  now  perceive  what  it  is  to  want 
the  good  things  of  this  life.'' 

ALonzo's  father  was  absent  when  he  arri- 
ved, but  returned  soon  after.  A  beam  of 
joy  gleamed  upon  his  withered  countenance 
as  he  entered  the  house.  "Were  it  not, 
\lonzo,  for  your  unhappy  situation,  said  he, 
we  should  once  more  be  restored  to  peace 
?nd  comfort.  A  few  persons  who  were  in- 
debted to  me,  finding  that  I  was  to  be  sac- 
rificed by  my  unfeeling  creditors,  reserved 
those  debts  in  their  hands,  and  have  n:>w 
paid  me,  amounting  to  something  more 
t.h.an  five  hundred  pounds.  With  this  I 
have  purchased  a  small,  but  well  cultivated 
farm,  with  convenient  tenements.  I  have 
enough  left  to  purchase  what  stock  and 
other  materials  I  need  ;  and  to  spare  some 
for  your  present  exigencies,  Alonzo." 

Alonzo  thanked  his  father  for  his  kind- 
ness, but  told  him  that  from  his  former 
liberality  he  had  yet  sufficient  for  his  wants, 
and  that  he  should  soon  find  business  which 
would  amply  support  him.  "  But  your  af- 
fair with  Melissa,  asked  his  father,  how  is 
f '  at  likely  to  terminate  ?"  "  Favourably,  I 
h.  e,  sir,"  answered  Alonzo.  He  could  DO! 


60  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

consent  to  disturb  the  tranquillity  of  his  pa- 
rents by  reciting  his  own  wretchedness. 

A  week  passed  away.  Alonzo  saw  hi* 
parents  removed  to  their  little  farm,  which 
wa'i  to  be  managed  by  his  father  and  a  hir 
ed  man.  He  saw  them  comfortably  seated, 
he  saw  them  serenely  blest  in  the  calm 
pleasures  of  returning  peace,  and  a  ray  ol 
joy  illuminated  his  troubled  bosom. 

•  "  Again  the  youth  his  wonted  life  regain'd, 

A  transient  /parkle  in  his  eye  obtain'd, 
A  bright,  impassion'd  cheering  glow,  express'd 
The  pleas 'd  sensation  of  l.is  tender  breast  : 
But.  soon  dark  glooms  the  feeble  smiles  o'erspread  j 
Like  morn's  gay  hues,  the  fat'.in?  splendours  fled  j 
Returning  anguish  froze  his  feeling  soul, 
Deep  sighs  burst  forth,  and  tears  began  to  roll." 

He  thought  of  Melissa,  from  whom  he 
had  heard  nothing  since  he  last  saw  her. — 
He  thought  of  the  difficulties  which  sur- 
rounded him.  He  thought  of  the  barriers 
which  were  opposed  to  his  happiness  and 
the  feircity  of  Melissa,  arid  he  set  out  for 
the  house  of  Vincent. 

Alonzo  arrived  at  the  residence  of  Vin- 
cent near  the  close  of  the  day.  Vincent 
and  his  lady  were  at  tea  with  several  young 
ladies  who  had  passed  the  afternoon  with 
Mrs.  Vincent.  Alonzo  cast  an  active 
glance  around  the  company,  in  hopes  to 
tind  Melissa,  but  she  was  not  there.  He 
was  invited  and  accepted  a  seat  at  table. 
\fter  tea  Vincent  led  him  into  an  adjoining 


ALONZo    AND    MELISSA.  61 

rjorn.  "You  have  come  in  good  time, 
said  he.  Something  must  speedily  be  done, 
or  you  lose  Melissa  forever.  The  day 
after  you  were  here,  her  father  received  a 
letter  Irom  Beau  man,  in  which,  after  men- 
tioning the  circumstance  of  your  father's 
insolvency,  he  hinted  that  the  consequence 
would  probably  be  a  failure  of  her  proposed 
marriage  with  you,  which  might  essentially 
injure  the  reputation  of  a  lady  of  her  stand- 
ing in  life ;  to  prevent  which,  and  to  place 
her  beyond  the  reach  of  calumny,  he  offer- 
ed to  marry  her  at  any  appointed  day,  pro- 
vided he  had  her  free  consent. 

'  As  Beauman,  by  the  recent  death  ol 
his  father,  had  been  put  in  possession  of  a 
splendid  fortune,  the  proposition  allured  her 
father,  who  wrote  him  a  complaisant  an- 
swer, with  an  invitation  to  his  house. — 
He  then  strove  to  extort  a  promise  from 
Melissa,  that  she  would  break  off  all  con- 
nexion with  you,  see  you  no  more,  and  ad- 
mit the  addresses  of  Beauman. 

"To  this  she  could  not  consent.  She  ur- 
ged, that  by  the  consent  of  her  parents  she 
was  engaged  to  you  by  the  most  sacred  ties, 
That  to  her  father's  will  she  had  hitherto 
yielded  implicit  obedience,  but  that  hastily 
to  break  the  most  solemn  obligation,  formed 
and  sanctioned  by  his  approbation  and  di- 
rection, was  what  her  conscience  would  not 
G 


62  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

permit  her  to  do.  Were  he  to  command 
her  to  live  single,  life  might  be  endured; 
but  '.o  give  her  hand  to  any  except  you, 
would  be  to  perjure  those  principles  of  truth 
and  justice  which  he  himself  had  evei 
taught  her  to  hold  most  inviolable. — Hei 
father  grew  outrageous ;  charged  her  with 
disobedience,  with  a  blind  inconsiderate 
perverseness,  by  which  she  would  bring 
ruin  upon  herself,  and  indelible  disgrace  up- 
on her  family.  She  answered  only  with 
her  tears.  Her  mother  interposed,  and  en- 
deavoured to  appease  his  anger;  but  he 
spurned  her  from  him,  and  rushed  out  of 
the  room,  uttering  a  threat  that  force  should 
succeed  persuasion,  if  his  commands  were 
not  obeyed.  To  add  to  Melissa's  distress, 
Beauman  arrived  at  her  father's  yesteiday  , 
and  I  hope,  in  some  measure  to  alleviate  it 
Edgar,  her  brother,  came  this  morning. — 
Mrs.  Vincent  has  dispatched  a  message  to 
inform  Melissa  of  your  arrival,  and  to  desire 
her  to  come  here  immediately.  She  will 
undoubtedly  comply  with  the  invitation,  if 
not  prevented  by  something  extraordinary. 
I  should  have  written  you  had  I  not  hourly 
expected  you." 

Mrs.  Vincent  now  carne  to  the  door  of 
the  room  and  beckoned  to  her  husband, 
v/ho  went  out,  but  immediately  returned, 
leading^  Melissa  after  which  he  retiu-d. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  63 

"  Oh,  Alonzo  !"  was  all  she  could  say,  au3 
burst  into  tears.  Alonzo  led  her  to  a  seat, 
gently  pressed  her  hand,  and  mingled  his 
tears  with  hers,  but  was  unable  to  speak. — 
Recovering  at  length,  he  begged  her  to  mo- 
derate her  grief.  "  Where,  said  he,  is  your 
fortitude  and  your  firmness,  Melissa,  which 
I  have  so  often  seen  triumphing  over  afflic- 
tion ?"  Her  extreme  anguish  prevented  a 
reply.  Deeply  affected  and  alarmed  at  the 
storm  of  distress  which  raged  in  her  bosom, 
he  endeavoured  to  console  her,  though  con- 
solation was  a  stranger  to  his  own  breast. 
"  Let  us  not,  Melissa,  said  he,  increase  our 
flood  of  affliction  by  a  tide  of  useless  sorrow. 
Perhaps  more  prosperous  days  are  yet  in 
reserve  for  us ; — happiness  may  yet  be  ours." 
"  Never,  never  !  she  exclaimed.  Oh,  what 
will  become  of  me  !"  "  Heaven  cannot  de- 
sert you,  said  Alonzo ;  as  well  might  it  de- 
sert its  angels.  This  thorny  and  gloomy 
path  may  lead  to  fair  fields  of  light  and  ver- 
dure. Tempests  are  succeeded  by  calms  ; 
wars  end  in  peace ;  the  splendours  of  the 
brightest  morning  arise  on  the  wings  of 
Slackest  midnight. Troubles  will  not  al- 
ways last.  Life  at  most  is  short.  Death 
comes  to  the  relief  of  the  virtuous  wretch- 
ed, and  transports  them  to  another  and  bet- 
ter world,  where  sighing  and  sorrows  cease, 


64  ALONZO    AND   MELISSA. 

and  the  tempestuous  passions  of  life  are 
known  no  more." 

The  rage  of  grief  which  had  overwhelm- 
ed Melissa  began  now  to  subside,  as  the 
waves  of  the  ocean  gradually  cease  the:r 
tumultuous  commotion,  after  the  turbulent 
winds  are  laid  asleep.  Deep  sobs  and  long 
drawn  sighs  succeeded  to  a  suffocation  of 
tears.  The  irritation  of  her  feelings  ha;l 
ea;iscd  a  more  than  usual  glow  upon  her 
che 'k,  whi^h  faded  away  as  she  became 
composed,  until  a  livid  paleness  spread  it- 
self over  her  features.  Alonzo  feared  that 
the  delicacy  of  her  constitution  would  fall 
a  sacrifice  to  the  sorrow  which  preyed  upon 
her  heart,  if  not  speedily  alleviated ; — but 
alas  !  where  were  the  means  of.alleviation  ? 

She  informed  him  that  her  father  haJ 
that  evening  ordered  her  to  become  the 
wife  of  Beaumau.  He  told  her  that  her 
disobedience  was  no  longer  to  be  borne. — 
"  Xo  longer,  said  he,  will  I  tamper  with 
your  perverseness  :  you  are  determined  to 
be  poor,  v/retched  and  contemptible.  I  will 
compel  you  to  be  rich,  happy,  and  respect- 
ed. You  suffer  the  Jack-a-lantern  fancy  to 
lead  you  into  swamps  and  quag.nires,  when, 
did  you  but  follow  the  fair  light  of  reason, 
it  would  conduct  you  to  honour  and  tea] 
felicity.  There  are  happiness  and  misery 
at  your  choice. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  65 

"  Marry  Beauman,  and  you  will  roll  in 
your  coach,  flaunt  in  your  silks  ;  your  furni- 
ture and  your  equipage  are  splendid,  your 
associates  are  of  the  first  character,  and 
your  father  rejoices  in  your  prosperity. 

"  Marry  Alonzo,  you  sink  into  obscurity, 
are  condemned  to  drudgery,  poorly  fed, 
worse  clothed,  and  your  relations  and  ac- 
quaintances shun  and  v despise  you.  The 
comparison  I  have  here  drawn  between 
Beauman  and  Alonzo  is  a  correct  one ;  for 
even  the  wardrobe  of  the  former  is  of  more 
value  than  the  whole  fortune  of  the  latter. 

u  I  give  you  now  two  days  to  consider 
the  matter;  at  the  end  of  that  time  I  shall 
expect  your  decision,  and  hope  you  will  de- 
cide discretely.  But  remember  that  you 
become  the  wife  of  Beauman,  or  you  are 
no  longer  acknowledged  as  my  daughter." 

"  Thus,  said  Melissa,  did  my  father  pro- 
nounce his  determination,  which  shook  my 
frame,  and  chilled  with  horror  every  nerve 
of  my  heart,  and  immediately  left  me. 

"  My  aunt  added  her  taunts  to  his  severi- 
ties, and  Beauman  interfered  with  his  ill- 
umed consolation.  My  mother  and  Edgar, 
ardently  strove  to  allay  the  fever  of  my 
soul,  and  mitigate  my  distress.  But  the 
stroke  was  almost  too  severe  for  my  nature. 
Habituated  only  to  the  smiles  of  my  father, 
how  could  I  support  his  frowns  ? — Accus- 
6*  D 


66  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA- 

tomed  to  receive  his  blessings  alone,  how 
could  t  endure  his  sudden  malediction." 

Description  would  fail  in  painting  the  sen 
sations  of  Alonzo's  bosom,  at  this  recital  of 
woe.     But  he  endeavoured  to  mitigate  her 
sorrows  by  the  consolation  of  more  cheer- 
ing prospects  and  happier  hours. 

Vincent  and  his  lady  now  came  into  the 
rootn.  They  strenuously  urged  the  propriety 
and  the  necessity  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa's 
entering  into  the  bands  of  wedlock  immedi- 
ately. "The  measure  would  be  hazardous," 
remarked  Melissa.  "My  circumstances" — 
said  Alonzo.  "Not  on  that  account,  inter- 
rupted Melissa,  but  my  father's  displeas- 
ure  "  "  Will  be  the  same,  whether 

you  marry  Alonzo,  or  refuse  to  m-arry  Beau- 
man,"  replied  Vincent.  Her  resolution  ap- 
peared to  be  staggered. 

"  Come  here,  Melissa,  to-morrow  eve- 
ning, said  Mrs.  Vincent;  mean  time  you 
will  consider  the  matter,  and  then  deter- 
mine." To  this  Melissa  assented,  and  pre- 
pared to  return  home. 

Alonzo  walked  with  her  to  the  gate  which 
opened  into  the  yard  surrounding  her  fa- 
ther's house.  It  was  dangerous  for  hnn  to 
go  farther.  Should  he  be  discovered  with 
Melissa,  even  by  a  domestic  of  the  family, 
it  must  increase  the  persecutions  against  he*. 
Th^y  parted.  Alonzo  stood  at  the  gate. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  67 

gazing  anxiously  after  Melissa  as  she  walk- 
ed up  the  long  winding  avenue,  bordered 
with  the  odour-flowing  lilac,  arid  lofty  elm, 
her  white  robes  now  invisible,  now  dimly 
seen  as  she  turned  the  angles  of  the  walk, 
until  they  were  totally  obscured,  mingling 
with  the  gloom  arid  darkness  of  the  night. 
*c  Thus,  said  Alonzo,  thus  fades  the  angel  of 
peace  from  the  visionary  eyes  of  the  war- 
worn soldier,  when  it  ascends  in  the  dusky 
clouds  of  early  morning,  while  he  slumbers 
on  the  field  of  recent  battle. "-With  mourn- 
ful forebodings  he  returned  to  the  house  of 
Vincent  He  arose  after  a  sleepless  nights 
and  walked  into  an  adjoining  field.  He 
stood  leaning  in  deep  contemplation  against 
a  tree,  when  he  heard  quick  footsteps  be- 
hind him.  He  turned,  and  saw  Edgar  ap- 
proaching :  in  a  moment  they  were  in  each 
other's  arms,  and  mingled  tears.  They  re- 
turned to  Vincent's  and  conversed  largely 
on  present  affairs.  "  I  have  discoursed  with 
my  father  on  the  subject,  said  Edgar.  I 
have  urged  him  with  every  possible  argu- 
ment to  relinquish  his  determination :  I  fear, 
however,  he  is  inflexible. 

"To  assuage  the  tempest  of  grief  which 
rent  Melissa's  bosom  was  my  next  object, 
and  in  this  I  trust  I  have  not  been  unsuc- 
cessful. You  will  see  her  this  evening,  and 
will  find  her  more  calm  and  resigned.  You, 


68  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Alonzo,  must  exert  your  fortitude.  Thf 
ways  of  Heaven  are  inscrutable,  but  they 
are  right. 

';  We  must  acquiesce  in  its  dealings.  We 
cannot  alter  its  decrees.  Resignation  to 
its  will,  whether  merciful  or  afflictive,  is  one 
of  those  eminent  virtues  which  adorn  the 
good  man's  character,  and  ever  find  a  bril- 
liant reward  in  the  regions  of  unsullied 
splendour,  far  beyond  trouble  and  the  tomb." 
Edgar  told  Alonzo  that  circumstances 
compelled  him  that  day  to  depart  for  the 
army.  I  would  advise  you,  said  he,  to  re- 
main here  until  vour  affair  comes  to  some 
final  issue.  It  must,  I  think,  ere  long,  be 
terminated.  Perhaps  you  and  my  sister 
may  yet  be  happy." 

Alonzo  feelingly  expressed  his  gratitude 
to  Edgar.  He  found  in  him  that  disinteres- 
ted friendship,  which  his  early  youth  had 
experienced.  Edgar  the  same  day  depart- 
ed for  the  army. 

In  the  afternoon  Alonzo  received  a  note 
from  Melissa's  father,  requesting  his  imme- 
diate attendance.  Surprised  at  the  inci- 
dent, he  repaired  there  immediately.  The 
servant  introduced  him  into  a  room  where 

Melissa's  father  and  aunt  were  sitting. 

"  Hearing  you  were  in  the  neighbourhood, 
said  her  father,  I  have  sent  for  you,  to  make 
a.  proposition,  which  after  what  has  taken 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  69 

place,  I  think  you  cannot  hesitate  to  comply 
with.  The  occurrence  of  previous  circum- 
stances may  lead  you  to  suppose  that  my 
daughter  is  under  obligations  to  you,  which 
may  render  it  improper  for  her  to  form 
marriage  connections  with  any  other.  What- 
ever embarrassments  your  addresses  to  her 
may  have  produced,  it  is  in  your  power  to 
remove  them;  and  if  you  are  a  man  of  hon- 
our you  will  remove  them.  iTou  cannot 
wish  to  involve  Melissa  in  your  present  pen- 
urious condition,  unless  you  wish  to  make 
her  wretched.  It  therefore  only  remains  for 
you  to  give  me  a  writing,  voluntarily  resign- 
ing all  pretensions  to  the  hand  of  my  daugh- 
ter ;  and  if  you  wish  her  to  be  happy,  hon- 
ourable, and  respected  in  this  life,  this  I  say 
you  will  not  hesitate  to  do." 

A  considerable  pause  ensued.  Alonzo  at 
length  replied,  "I  cannot  perceive  any  par- 
ticular advantage  that  can  accrue  from  such 
a  measure.  It  will  neither  add  nor  dimm- 
ish the  power  you  possess  to  command  obe- 
dience to  your  will,  if  you  are  determined 
to  command  it,  either  from  your  daughter, 
or  your  servant." • 

"  There,  brother,"  bawled  the  old  maid, 
half  squeaking  through  her  nose,  which  was 
well  charged  with  rappee,  "  did'  nt  I  tell  you 
so?  I  knew  the  fellow  would  not  come  to 
terms  no  more  than  will  your  refractory 


70  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

daughter.     This  love  fairly  bewitches  such 
foolish,  crack-brained  youngsters.     But  say 

Mr. ,     what's  your  same,  addressing 

herself  to  Alonzo,  will  love  heat  the  oven  ? 
will  love  boil  the  pot?  will  love  clothe  the 

back  ?  will  love " 

"You  will  not,  interrupted  Melissa's 
father,  speaking  to  Alonzo,  it  seems,  consent 
to  my  proposition?  1  have  then,  one  de- 
mand to  make,  which  of  right  you  cainot 
deny.  Promise  me  that  you  will  never  see 
my  daughter  again,  unless  by  my  permis- 
sion." 

"At  the  present  moment  I  shall  promise 
you  nothing,"  replied  Alonzo,  with  some 
warmth. 

"There  again,  said  the  old  maid,  just  550 
Melissa  told  you  this  morning,  when  you 
requested  her  to  see  him  no  more.  The 
fellow  has  fairly  betwattled  her.  I  wish  I 
had  him  to  deal  with.  Things  wasn't  fo 
when  I  was  a  girl ;  I  kept  the  rogues  at  a 
distance,  I'll  warrant  you.  I  always  told 
you,  brother,  \vhat  would  come  of  your  in- 
dulgenceM;o  your  daughter.  And  I  should 
not  wonder  if  you  should  soon  find  the  girl 
had  eloped,  and  your  desk  robbed  in  the . 
bargain." 

Alonzo  hastily  arose  :  "  I  suppose,  said 
he,  my  presence  can  be  dispensed  with." 

"  Well,  young  man,  said  Melissa's  father, 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  71 

rorxe  you  will  not  comply  with  any  over- 
uires  i  make;  since  you  will  not  accede  to 
*ny  tcrtus  I  propose,  remember,  sir,  I  now 
warn  you  to  break  off  all  communication 
and  correspondence  with  my  daughter,  and 
to  relinquish  all  expectations  concerning 
«er.  I  snali  never  consent  to  marry  my 
daughter  to  a  beggar." 

'*  Beggar!"  involuntarily  exclaimed  Alon- 
zo,  and  his  eyes  ila^ied  in  resentment.—But 
he  recollected  that  A  was  the  father  of  Me- 
lissa who  had  thus  m^uited  him,  and  he  sup- 
pressed his  anger,  iio  rushed  out  of  the 
house,  and  returned  to  Vincent's.  He  had 
neither  heard  nor  seen  auj  thing  of  Melissa 
or  Beauman. 

Night  came  on,  and  he,  *itlently  and  im- 
patiently expected  Melissa.  He  anticipa- 
ted the  consolation  her  pit*,  uce  would  be- 
stow. Edgar  had  told  him  du«  was  more 
composed.  He  doubted  wnemer  it  were 
proper  to  excite  anew  her  disue?^  by  rela- 
ting his  interview  with  her  fathei,  uriless  she 
was  appraised  of  it.  The  evening  passed 
on,  but  Melissa  came  not.  Alon^o  grew 
restless  and  uneasy.  He  looked  out,  then 
at  his  watch.  Vincent  and  his  lady  assured 
him  that  she  would  soon  be  there.  He  pa- 
ced the  room.  Still  he  became  more  impa- 
tient. He  walked  out  on  the  wav  where 
she  was  expected  to  comft.  Sometimes  he 


72  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

advanced  hastily ;  at  others  he  moved  slow- 
ly; then  stood  motionless,  listening  in  breath- 
less silence,  momentarily  expecting  to  dis- 
cover her  white  form  approaching  through 
the  gloom,  or  to  hear  the  sound  of  her  foot- 
steps advancing  amidst  the  darkness.  Shape- 
less objects,  either  real  or  imaginary,  fre- 
quently crossed  his  sight,  but,  like  the  unre- 
al phantoms  of  night,  they  suddenly  passed 
away,  and  were  seen  no  more.  At  length 
he  perceived  a  dusky  white  form  advancing 
in  the  distant  dim  obscurity.  It  drew  near; 
his  heart  beat  in  <mick  succession  ;  his  fonJ 
hopes  told  him  it  was  Melissa.  The  object 
came  up,  and  hastily  passed  him,  with  a 
"  good  night,  sir." 

T.t  was  a  stranger  in  a  white  surtout.  A- 
lonzo  hesitated  whether  to  advance  or  to 
eturn.  It  was  possible,  though  not  prcba- 
Dle,  that  Melissa  might  have  come  some 
Dther  way.  He  hastened  back  to  Vincent's 
— she  had  not  arrived.  "Something  extra- 
ordinary, said  Mrs.  Vincent,  has  prevented 
her  coming.  Perhaps  she  is  ill." — Alonzo 
shuddered  at  the  suggestion.  He  looked  at 
his  watch  ;  it  was  half  past  eleven  o'clock. 
Again  he  hastily  sallied  out,  and  took  the 
road  to  her  father's. 

The  night  was  exceedingly  dark,  and  il- 
luminated only  by  the  feeble  glimmering  of 
the  twinkling  stars.  When  he  came  with- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  73 

in  sight  of  the  house,  and  as  he  drew  near 
no  lights  were  visible — all  was  still  and  si- 
.!ent.  He  entered  the  yard,  walked  up  the 
avenue,  and  approached  the  door.  The  fa- 
miliar watch-dog,  which  lay  near  the  thresh- 
old, fawned  upon  him,  joyfully  whining  and 
wagging  his  tail.  "Thou  still  knowest  me, 
Curio, v,  said  Alonzo  ;  thou  hast  known  me 
in  better  days  ;  I  am  now  poor  and  wretch- 
ed, but  thy  friendship  is  the  same."  A  sol- 
emn stillness  prevailed  all  around,  interrupt- 
ed only  by  the  discordance  of  the  nightly 
injects,  and  the  hooting  of  the  moping  owl 
from  the  neighbouring  forest. — The  dwell- 
ing was  shrouded  in  darkness.  In  Melis- 
sa's room  no  gleam  of  light  appeared.  "They 
are  all  buried  in  sleep,  said  Alonzo,  deeply 
sighing,  ana  I  have  only  to  return  in  disap- 
pointment." 

He  turned  and  walked  towards  the  street; 
casting  his  eyes  back,  the  blaze  of  a  candle 
caught  his  sight.  It  passed  rapidly  along 
through  the  lower  looms,  now  gleaming, 
now  intercepted,  as  the  walls  or  the  win- 
dows intervened,  and  suddenly  disappeared. 
Alonzo  gazed  earnestly  a  few  moments,  and 
hastily  returned  back.  No  noise  was  to  be 
heard,  no  new  objects  were  discernible. — 
He  clambered  over  the  garden  wall,  and 
went  around  to  the  back  side  of  the  house. 
Here  all  wa  solemn  and  silent  as  in  front. 
7 


74  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Immediately  a  faint  light  appeared  through 
one  of  the  chamber  windows;  it  grew  bright- 
er ;  a  candle  entered  the  chamber  ;  the  sash 
was  flung  up,  and  Melissa  seated  herself  at 
the  window." 

The  weather  was  sultry,  she  held  a  fan  in 
her  hand  ;  her  countenance,  th.uigh  stamp- 
ed with  deep  dejection,  was  marked  with 
serenity,  but  pale  as  the  drooping  lily  of  the 
valley.  Alonzo  placed  himself  directly  un- 
der the  window,  and  in  a  low  voice  called 
her  by  name.  She  started  wildly,  looked 
out,  and  faintly  cried,  "  Who's  there  ?"  He 
answered,  "  Alonzo."  "  Good  heavens, 
she  exclaimed,  is  it  you,  Alonzo  ?  I  was 
disappointe  .  in  meeting  you  at  Vincent's  this 
evening :  my  father  will  not  suffer  me  to 
go  out  without  attendants.  I  am  now  con- 
stantly watched  and  guarded." 

"  Watched  and  guarded  !  replied  Alonzo: 
At  the  risque  of  my  life  I  will  deliver  you 
from  the  tyranny  with  which  you  are  op- 
pressed." 

"  Be  calm,  Alanzo,  said  she,  I  think  it 
vill  not  last  long.  Beauman  will  soon  de- 
part, after  which  there  will  undoubtedly  be 
some  alteration.  Desire  Mrs.  Vincent  to 
come  here  to-morrow  ;  I  believe  they  will 
let  me  see  her.  I  can,  from  time  to  time, 
inform  you  of  passing  events,  so  that  you 
may  know  what  changes  take  place.  I  ara 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  75 

placed  under  the  care  of  my  aunt,  who  suf- 
fors  me  not  to  step  ou-t  of  her  sight.  We 
pass  the  night  in  an  adjoining  chamber — • 
from  whence,  after  she  had  fallen  asleep,  I 
stote  out,  and  went  down  with  a  design  of 
walking  in  the  garden,  but  found  the  doors 
all  locked  and  the  keys  taken  out.  I  re- 
turned and  raised  this  window  for  fresh  air. 
Hark  !  s-aid  she ;  my  aunt  calls  me.  She 
has  waked  and  misses  me.  I  must  -fly  to 
her  chamber.  You  shall  hear  more  from 
rae  to-rnorrow  by  Mrs.  Vincent,  Alonzo," 
So  saying,  she  let  down  the  window  sash, 
and  retired. 

Alonzo  withdrew  slowly  from  the  place, 
a-nd  repassed  the  way  he  came.  As  he 
jumped  back  over  the  garden  wall,  hefound 
a  man  standing  at  its  foot,  very  near  him  : 
after  a  moment's  scrutiny  he  perceived  it  to 
be  Beauman.  "  What,  my  chevalier,  said 
he  to  Alonzo,  such  an  adept  in  the  amor- 
ous science  already  ?  Hast  thou  then  elu- 
ded the  watchful  eyes  of  Argus,  and  tlie 
vigilance  of  the  dragon  !" 

"  Unfeeling  and  impertinent  intruder  ? 
retorted  Alonzo,  seizing  hold  of  him ;  is  it 
not  enough  that  an  innocent  daughter  must 
endure  a  merciless  parent's  persecuting 
hand,  but  must  thou  add  to  her  misery  by 
thy  disgusting  interference !" 

"  Quit  thy  hold,  tarquin,  said  Beaumaa. 


76  ALOJJZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Art  thou  determined,  after  storming  the  for- 
tress, to  murder  the  garrison  ?" 

"  Go,  said  Aionzo,  quitting  him  ;  go  sir, 
you  are  unworthy  of  my  anger.  Pursue  thy 
grovelling  schemes.  Strive  to  force  to  your 
arms  a  lady  who  abhors  you,  and  were  i* 
not  on  one  account,  must  ever  continue  to 
despise  and  hate  you." 

"Aionzo,  replied  Beauman,  I  pc  rc<-ive  thou 
knowest  me  not.  You  and  I  were  rivals 
in  our  pursuit — the  hand  of  Melissa.  Wheth- 
er from  freak  or  fortune,  the  preference 
was  given  to  you,  and  I  retired  in  silence. 
From  coincidence  of  circumstances,  her 
father  has  now  been  induced  to  give  the 
preference  to  me.  My  belief  was,  that 
Melissa  would  comply  with  her  father's  will, 
especially  after  her  prospects  of  connect- 
ing with  ypj  were  cut  off  by  the  events 
which  ruined  your  fortune.  You,  Aionzo, 
have  yet,  I  find,  to  learn  the  character  of 
women.  It  has  been  my  particular  study. 
Melissa,  now  ardently  impassioned  by  first 
impressions,  irritated  by  recent  disappoint- 
ment, her  passions  delicate  and  vivid,  her 
aifections  animated  and  unmixed,  it  would 
be  strange,  if  she  could  suddenly  relinquish 
primitive  aftachments  founded  on  such  pre- 
mises, without  a  struggle.  But  remove 
her  from  your  presence  for  one  year,  with 
only  distant  and  uncertain  prospects  of  see- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  T 

ing  you  again,  admit  me  as  the  substitute  in 
your  absence,  and  she  accepts  my  hand  as 
f  ?ely  as  she  would  now  receive  yours.  I 
haa  no  design — it  was  never  my  wish  to 
marry  her  without  her  consent.  That  I 
believe  I  shall  yet  obtain.  Under  existing 
circumstances,  it  is  impossible  but  that  you 
must  be  separated  for  some  considerable 
time.  Then,  when  cool  deliberation  suc- 
ceeds to  the  wild  vagaries,  the  electric  fire 
of  frolic  fancy,  she  will  discover  the  danger- 
ous precipice,  the  deadly  abyss  to  which 
her  present  conduct  and  inclinations  lead. 
She  will  see  that  the  blandishments,  with- 
out the  possessions  of  life,  must  fade  and 
die.  She  will  discriminate  between  the 
shreds  and  the  trappings  of  taste.  She  will 
prefer  indifference  and  splendour  to  love 
and  a  cottage. 

"At  present  I  relinquish  all  further  per- 
suit ;  to-morrow  I  return  to  New-London. 
When  Melissa,  from  calm  deliberation  and 
the  advice  of  friends,  shall  freely  consent 
to  yield  me  her  hand,  1  shall  return  to  re- 
ceive i't.  I  came  from  my  lodgings  this 
evening  to  declare  these  intentions  to  her 
father:  but  it  being  later  than  I  was  aware 
of,  the  family  had  gone  to  rest.  I  was  a- 
bout  to  return,  when  I  saw  a  light  from  the 
chamber  window,  which  soon  withdrew.  I 
stood  a  moment  by  the  garden  wall,  when 
7* 


78  ALONZC    AND    MELISSA. 

you  approached  and  discovered  me."  So 
saying,  he  bade  Alonzo  good  night,  and 
walked  hastily  away.  "  I  find  he  knows 
not  the  character  of  Melissa,"  said  Alonzo, 
rr1  1  returned  to  Vincent's. 

The  next  day  Alonzo  told  the  Vincents 
of  all  that  had  passed,  and  it  was  agreed 
that  Mrs.  Vincent  should  visit  at  Melissa's 
father's  that  afternoon.  She  went  at  EWI 
early  hour.  Alonzo's  feelings  were  on  the 
rack  until  sh-e  returned,  which  happened 
much  sooner  than  was  expected  ;  when  she 
gave  him  and  Vincent  the  following  infor- 
mation : 

"When  I  arrived  there,  said  she,  I  found 
Melissa's  father  and  mother  alone,  her  mo- 
ther was  in  tears,  which  she  endeavoured 
to  conceal.  Her  father  SOOL  withdrew.  After 
same  conversation  I  enquired  for  Melissa. 
The  old  lady  burst  into  tears,  and  informed 
me  that  this  morning  Melissa's  aunt  (the 
old  maid)  had  invited  her  to  ride  out  with 
her.  A  carriage  was  provided,  which,  af- 
ter a  large  trunk  had  been  placed  therein, 
drove  off  with  Melissa  and  her  aunt ;  that 
Melissa's  father  had  just  been  informing 
her  that  he  had  sent  their  daughter  to  a 
distant  part  of  the  country,  where  she  was 
to  reside  with  a  friend  until  Alonzo  should 
depart  from  the  neighbourhood.  The  rea- 
xm  of  this  sudden  resolution  was  his  being 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  79 

informed  by  Beauman,  that  notwithstand- 
ing his  precaution,  Melissa  and  Alonzo  had 
an  interview  the  last  evening.  Where  she 
was  sent  to,  the  old  lady  could  not  tell,  but 
she  was  convinced  that  Melissa  was  not  ap- 
prised of  the  design  when  she  consented  to 
go.  Her  aunt  had  heretofore  been  living 
with  the  relatives  of  the  family  in  various 
parts  of  the  state." 

Alonzo  listened  to  Mrs.  Vincent's  rela- 
tion with  inexpressible  agitation.  He  sat 
silent  a  few  moments;  then  suddenly  start- 
ing np,  u  I  will  find  her  if  she  be  on  the 
earth!"  said  ne,  and  in  spit.e  of  Vincent's 
attempts  to  prevent  him,  rushed  out  of  the 
house,  flew  to  the  road,  and  was  soon  out 
of  sight. 

Melissa  had  not,  indeed,  the  most  distant 
suspicion  of  the  designs  of  her  father  and 
aunt.  The  latter  informed  her  that  she 
was  going  to  take  a  morning's  ride,  and  in- 
vited Melissa  to  accompany  her,  to  which 
she  consented.  She  did  not  even  perceive 
the  trunk  which  was  fastened  on  behind  the 
carriage.  They  were  attended  by  a  single 
servant.  They  drove  to  a  neighbouring 
town,  where  Melissa  had  frequently  atten- 
ded her  father  and  mother  to  purchase  ar- 
ticles of  dress,  &c.  where  they  alighted  at 
a  friend's  house,  and  lingered  away  the 
time  until  dinner;  after  which,  they  pre- 


80  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

pared,  as  Melissa  supposed,  to  return,  but 
found,  to  her  surprise,  after  they  Lad  enter- 
ed the  carriage,  that  her  'aunt  or  iered  the 
driver  to  proceed  a  different* way.  She  ask- 
ed her  aunt  if  they  were  not  going  home. 
"  Not  yet,"  said  she.  Melissa  grew,  unea- 
sy ;  she  knew  she  was  to  see  Mrs.  Vincent 
that  afternoon ;  she  knew  the  disappoint- 
ment which  Alonzo  must  experience,  if  she 
was  absent.  She  begged  her  aunt  to  re- 
turn, as  she  expected  the  company  of  some 
ladies  that  afternoon.  "  Then  they  must 
be  disappointed,  child,"  said  her  aunt. — 
Melissa  knew  it  was  in  vain  to  remonstrate; 
she  supposed  her  aunt  was  bent  on  visiting 
some  of  her  acquaintance,  and  she  remain- 
ed silent. 

They  arrived  at  another  village,  and  a- 
lighted  at  an  inn,  where  Melissa  and  her 
aunt  tarried,  while  the  servant  was  ordered 
out  by  the  latter  on  some  business  unknown 
to  Melissa.  When  they  again  got  into  the 
carriage  she  perceived  several  large  packa- 
ges and  bundles,  which  had  been  deposited 
there  since  they  left  it  She  enquired  of 
her  aunt  what  they  contained.  "Articles 
for  family  use,  child,"  she  replied,  and  or- 
dered the  driver  to  proceed. 

They  passed  along  winding  and  solitary 
paths,  into  a  bye  road  which  led  through 
an  unfrequented  wood,  that  opened  into  a 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  81 

rocky  part  of  the  country  bordering  on  the 
Sound.  Here  they  stopped  at  the  only 
house  in  view.  It  was  a  miserable  hut, 
built  of  logs,  and  boarded  with  stabs. 
They  alighted  from  the  carriage,  and  Melis- 
sa's aunt,  handing  the  driver  a  large  bunch 
of  keys,  "remember  to  do  as  1  have  told 
you,''  said  she,  and  he  drove  rapidly  away. 
It  was  with  some  difficulty  they  got  into  the 
hut,  as  a  meagre  cow,  with  a  long  yoke  on 
her  neck,  a  board  before  her  eyes,  and  a 
cross  piece  on  her  horns,  stood  with  her 
head  in  the  door.  On  one  side  of  her  were 
four  or  live  half  starved  squeaking  pigs,  on 
the  other  a  flock  of 'gaggling  geese. 

A  s  they  entered  the  door,  a  woman  who 
sat  carding  wool  jumped  up,  "  Lame!  she 

cried,  here  is  Miss  D ,  welcome  here 

again.  How  does  madam  do  ?"  dropping 
a  low  curtsey.  She  wab  dressed  in  a  linsev* 
woolsey  short  gown,  a  petticoat  of  the  same, 
her  hair  hanging  about  her  ears,  and  bare- 
foot. Three  dirty,  ragged  children  were 
playing  about  the  floor,  and  the  furniture 
was  of  a  piece  with  the  building.  "  Is  my 
room  in  order?"  enquired  Melissa's  aunt. 
"  It  hasn't  been  touched  since  madam  was 
here,"  answered  the  woman,  and  immedi- 
ately stalked  away  to  a  little  back  apart- 
ment, which  Melissa  and  her  aunt  entered. 
It  was  small,  but  neatly  furnished,  and  con- 

E 


82  ALO.NZO    AND    MELISSA. 

tained  a  single  bed.  This  appendage  h;i;l 
been  concealed  from  Melissa's  view,  as  it 
was  the  opposite  side  of  the  house  from 
whence  she  alighted.  "Where  is  John  ?" 
asked  Melissa's  aunt  "  My  husband  is  iu 
the  garden,  replied  the  woman  ;  I  will  call 
him,"  and  out  she  scampered.  John  soon 
appeared,  and  exhibited  an  exact  counter 
part  of  his  wife.  "  What  doL's  madam 
please  to  want?"  said  he,  bowing  three  or 
four  times.  "  I  want  you  John,'0  she  an- 
swered, and  immediately  stepped  into  the 
other  room,  and  gave  some  directions,  in  a 
low  voice,  to  him  and  his  wite.  "La  me  ! 
said  the  woman,  madam  a'nt  a  going  to 
live  in  that  doleful  place  ?"  Melissa  could 
not  understand  her  aunt's  reply,  but  heard 
her  give  directions  to  "  first  hang  on  the  tea- 
kettle." This  done,  while  John  and  his 
wife  went  out,  Melissa's  aunt  prepared  tea 
in  her  own  room.  In  about  an  hour  John 
and  his  wife  returned,  and  gave  tfie  same 
bunch  of  keys  to  Melissa's  aunt,  which  she 
had  given  to  the  servant  who  drove  the 
carriage. 

Melissa  was  involved  in  inscrutable  mys- 
tery respecting  these  extraordinary  pro- 
ceedings. She  conjectured  that  they  bo- 
ded her  no  good,  but  she  could  not  pene- 
trate into  her  aunt's  designs.  She  fre- 
quently looked  out,  hoping  to  see  the  car- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  83 

nage  return,  but  was  disappointed.  When 
tea  was  made  ready,  she  could  neither  eat 
nor  drink.  After  her  aunt  had  disposed  of 
a  dozen  cups  of  tea,  and  an  adequate  pro- 
portion of  biscuit,  butter  and  dried  beef, 
she  directed  Melissa  to  prepare  to  take  a 
walk.  The  sun  was  low  ;  they  proceeded 
through  fields,  in  a  foot  path,  over  rough 
and  uneven  ways,  directly  towards  the 
Sound.  They  walked  about  a  mile,  when 
they  came  to  a  large,  old  fashioned,  castle- 
like  building,  surrounded  by  a  high,  thick 
wall,  and  almost  totally  concealed  on  all 
sides  from  the  sight,  by  irregular  rows  of 
large  locusts  and  elm  trees,  dry  prim*  hed- 
ges, and  green  shrubbery.  The  gate  which 
opened  into  the  yard,  was  made  of  strong 
hard  wood,  thickly  crossed  on  the  outside 
with  iron  bars,  and  filled  \vJth  old  iron 
spikes.  Melissa's  aunt  unlocked  the  gate, 
and  they  entered  the  yard,  which  was  over- 
grown with  rank  grass  and  rushes  :  the  ave- 
nue which  led  to  the  house  was  almost  in 
the  same  condition.  The  house  was  of  re- 
al Gothic  architecture,  built  of  rude  stone, 
with  battlements. 

The  doors  were  constructed  in  the  same 


*T!*e  lx>t:miesl   name  r>f  this  shrub  is  not   recoil  cted.     Tb-  re 
ere  formerly 'a  gnut  miailx-r  ot>".ni  h-tlgcs  in  Neu-En-i  .m!, 


S4  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

manner  as  the  gate  at  which  they  entered 
the  yard.  They  unlocked  the  door,  which 
creaked  heavily  on  its  hinges,  and  went  in. 
They  ascended  a  flight  of  stairs,  wound 
through  several  dark  and  empty  rooms,  tiil 
they  came  to  one  which  was  handsomely 
furnished,  with  a  fire  hurning  on  the  hearth. 
Two  beds  were  in  the  room,  with  tables 
and  chairs,  and  other  conveniences  for 
house  keeping.  "  Here  we  are  safe,  said 
Melissa's  aunt,  as  I  have  taken  care  to  lock 
all  the  doors  and  gates  after  me  ;  and  here, 
Melissa,  you  are  in  the  mansion  of  your  an- 
cestors. Your  great  grand  father,  who 
came  over  from  England,  built  this  house  in 
the  earliest  settlements  of  the  country,  aiiti 
here  he  resided  until  his  death.  The  rea- 
son why  so  high  and  thick  a  wall  was  built 
round  it,  and  the  doors  and  gates  so  strong- 
ly fortified,  was  to  secure  it  against  the  In- 
dians, who  frequently  committed  depreda- 
tions on  the  early  settlers.  Your  grand- 
father came  in  possession  of  this  estate  after 
his  father's  death  :  it  fell  to  me  by  will, 
with  the  lands  surrounding  it.  The  house 
has  sometimes  been  tenanted,  at  others  not 
It  has  now  been  vacant  for  a  few  years. 
The  lands  are  rented  yearly.  John,  the 
person  from  whose  house  we  last  came,  is 
my  overseer  and  tenant.  I  had  a  sinful 
room  built,  adjoining  that  hut,  where  1  gen- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  85 

erally  i  Jside  for  a  week  when  I  come  to  re- 
ceive my  rents.  I  have  thought  frequently 
of  fitting  up  this  place  for  my  future  resi- 
dence, but  circumstances  have  hitherto  hin- 
dered my  carrying  the  scheme  into  effect, 
and  now,  perhaps,  it  will  never  take  place. 
"  Your  perverseness,  Melissa,  in  refusing 
to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  your  friends, 
has  induced  us  to  adopt  the  method  of 
bringing  you  here,  where  you  are  to  remain 
until  Alonzo  leaves  your  neighbourhood,  at 
least.  Notwithstanding  yeur  father's  in- 
junctions and  my  vigilance-,  you  had  a  clan- 
destine interview  with  him  last  night.  So 
we  were  told  by  Beauman  tnis  morning, 
before  he  set  off  for  New- London,  who  dis- 
covered him  at  your  window.  It  therefore 
became  necessary  to  remove  you  immedi- 
ately. Yo1i  will  want  for  nothing.  John 
is  to  supply  us  with  whatever  is  needful. — 
You  will  not  be  long  here ;  Alonzo  will  soon 
be  gone.  You  will  think  differently ;  re- 
turn home,  marry  Beauman,  and  become  a 
lady." 

"  My  God !  exclaimed  Melissa,  -is  it  pos- 
sible my  father  can  be  so  cruel  !  Is  he  so 
unfeeling  as  to  banish  me  from  his  house, 
and  confine  me  within  the  walls  of  a  prison, 
like  a  common  malefactor?"  She  flung 
herself  on  the  bed  iff  a  state  little  inferior 
lo  distraction.  Her  aunt  told  her  it  was 


86  ALOiSZO    AND    MELISSA. 

ail  owing  to  her  own  obstinacy,  and  becnusg 
she  refused  to  be  made  happy — ai.d  wenl 
to  preparing  supper. 

Melissa  heard  none  of  her  aunt's  obser- 
vations; she  lay  in  a  stupifying  agony,  in 
sensible  to  all  that  passed.  When  suppei 
was  ready,  her  aunt  endeavoured  to  arouse 
her.  She  started  up,  stared  around  hei 
with  a  wild  agonizing  countenance,  but 
spoke  not  a  word.  Her  aunt  became  alarm- 
ed. She  applied  stimulants  to  her  tem- 
ples and  forehead,  and  persuaded  her  to 
take  some  cordials.  She  remained  seem- 
ingly insensible  through  the  night :  just  at 
morning,  she  fell  into  a  slumber,  interrupt- 
ed by  incoherent  meanings,  convulsive  start- 
iugs,  long  drawn  sighs,  intermitting 
and  by  frequent,  sudden  and  restless  turn- 
ings from  side  to  side.  At  length  she  ap- 
peared to  be  in  a  calm  and  quiet  sleep,  for 
about  an  hour.  About  sunrise  she  awoke — 
her  aunt  sat  by  her  bed  side.  She  gazed 
languidly  about  the  room,  and  burst  into 
tears.  She  wept  a  long  time;  her  aunt 
strove  to  console  her,  for  she  truly  began 
to  tremble,  lest  Melissa's  distress  should 
produce  her  immediate  dissolution.  To- 
wards night,  however,  she  became  more 
calm  and  resigned;  but  a  slight  fever  suc- 
ceeded, which  kept  her  confined  for  several  - 
days,  afie-  \vhirh  she  slowly  recovered. 


ALONZO    AND    MfcLISSA.  87 

John  crme  frequently  to  the  house  to  re- 
ceive the  commands  of  Melissa's  aunt,  and 
brought  such  things  as  they  wanted.  Her 
aunt  also  so^",,.,  es  went  home  with  him, 
leaving  *'  ..  •-*'•  ^  of  the  house  with  Melissa, 
but  K  t  one  gate  and  taking  the  key  of 
that  w  ai  her.  She  generally  returned  be- 
fore subset.  When  Melissa  was  so  far  re- 
covered as  to  walk  out,  she  found  that  the 
house  was  situated  on  an  eminence,  about 
one  hundred  yards  from  the  Sound.  The 
yard  was  large  and  extensive.  Within  the 
enclosure  was  a  spacious  garden,  now  over- 
run witn  brambles  and  weeds.  A  few  me- 
dinical  and  odoriferous  herbs  were  scattered 
here  and  there,  and  a  few  solitary  flowers 
overtopped  the  tangling  briars  below  ;  but 
there  was  plenty  of  fruit  on  the  shrubbery 
and  trees.  The  out  buildings  were  gener- 
ally in  a  ruinous  situation.  The  cemetery 
was  the  most  perfect,  as  it  was  built  of 
hewn  stone  and  marble,  and  had  best  with- 
stood the  ravages  of  time.  The  rooms  in 
the  house  were  mostly  empty  and  decaying: 
the  mala  building  was  firm  and  strong,  as 
was  also  the  extended  wall  which  enclosed 
ihe  whole.  She  found  that  although  her 
aunt,  when  they  first  arrived,  had  led  her 
through  several  upper  rooms  to  the  cham- 
•ber  they  inhabited,  yet  there  was  from 
thence  a  direct  passage  to  the  hall. 


63  ALO>ZO    AND    MELISSA. 

The  prospect  was  not  dica2.reeable. 
West,  all  was  wilderness,  from  which  a 
brook  wound  along  a  little  distance  froia 
the  garden  wall.  North,  were  the  uneven 
grounds  she  had  crossed  when  she  came 
there,  bounded  by  distant  groves  and  hills. 
East,  beautiful  meadows  and  fields,  arrayed 
in  flowery  green,  sloped  to  salt  marshes  or 
sandy  banks  of  the  Sound,  or  ended  in  the 
long  white  beaches  which  extended  far  into 
the  sea.  South,  was  the  Sound  of  Long 
Island. 

Melissa  passed  much  of  her  time  in  trac- 
ing the  ruins  of  this  antiquated  pUce,  in 
viewing  the  white  sails  as  they  passed  up 
and  down  the  Sound,  and  in  listening  to  the 
songs  of  the  thousand  various  birds  which 
frequented  the  garden  and  the  forest  She 
could  have  been  contented  here  to  have 
buried  her  afflictions,  and  for  ever  to  retire 
from  the  world,  could  Alonzo  but  have  re- 
sided within  those  walls.  "  What  will  he 
think  has  become  of  me,"  she  would  say, 
while  the  disconsolate  tear  glittered  in  her 
eye.  Her  aunt  had  frequently  urged  her  to 
yield  to  her  father's  injunctions,  regain  her 
liberty,  and  marry  Beauman ;  and  she  eve- 
ry day  became  more  solicitous  and  imperti- 
nent. A  subject  so  hateful  to  Melissa  some- 
limes  provoked  her  to  tears  ;  at  other  her 
keen  resentment.  She  therefore,  wh*iu  the 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  89 

weather  was  fair,  passed  much  of  her  time 
in  the  garden  and  adjoining  walks,  wishing 
to  be  as  much  out  of  her  aunt's  company  as 
possible. 

One  day  John  came  there  early  in  the 
morning,  and  Melissa's  aunt  went  home 
with  him.  The  day  passed  away,  but  she 
did  not  return.  Melissa  sat  up  until  a  late 
hour  of  the  night,  expecting  her  ;  she  went 
to  the  gate,  and  found  it  was  fast  locked, 
returned,  locked  and  bolted  the  doors  of  the 
house,  went  to  bed  ami  slept  as  soundly  as 
she  had  done  since  her  residence  in  the  old 
mansion.  "  I  have  at  least>  she  srtid,  esca- 
ped the  disgusting  curtain-lecture  about 
marrying  Beauman." 

The  next  day  her  amit  returned.  "  I  was 
quite  concerned  about  you,  child,  said  she ; 
how  did  you  sleep  r"  "  Never  betler,  she 
answered,  since  I  have  been  here."  "I  had 
forgotten,  said  her  aun*,  that  my  rents  be- 
come due  this  week.  I  was  detained  until 
late  by  some  of  my  tenants  ;  John  was  out, 
and  I  dare  not  return  in  the  night  alone.  I 
must  go  back  to-day.  It  will  take  me  a 
week  to  settle  my  business.  If  I  am  obli- 
ged to  stay  out  again  I  will  send  one  of 

John's  daughters  to  sleep  with  you." 

"  You  need  not  give  yourself  that  trouble, 
replied  Melissa;  I  am  under  no  apprehen- 
sion of  staying  here  alone ;  nothing  can  get 


90  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

into  or  out  of  these  premises." Well., 

thou  hast  wonderful  courage,  child,  said  her 
aunt ;  but  I  shall  be  as  frequently  here  as 
possible,  and  as  soon  as  rny  business  is  set- 
tled, I  sh?ll  be  absent  no  more."  So  say- 
ing, she  bade  Melissa  good  morning,  and  set 
off  for  her  residence  at  the  dwelling  of  John. 

She  did  not  return  in  two  days.  The 
second  night  of  her  absence,  Melissa  was 
sitting  in  her  chamber  reading,  when  she 
heard  a  noise  as  of  several  people  trampling 
in  the  yard  below.  She  arose,  cautiously 
raised  the  window,  and  looked  out.  It  was 
extremely  dark;  she  thought  she  might 
have  been  discovered. 

Her  aunt  came  the  next  day,  and  told  hei 
she  was  obliged  to  go  into  the  country  to 
collect  some  debts  of  those  to  whom  she 
had  rented  lands  :  she  should  be  gone  a  few 
days,  ana  as  soon  as  she  returned  should 
come  there.  "  The  keys  of  the  house,  said 
she,  I  shall  leave  with  you.  The  gate  I 
shall  lock,  and  leave  that  key  with  John, 
who  will  come  here  as  often  as  necessary, 
to  assist  you,  and  see  if  you  want  any  tiling." 
She  then  went  off,  leaving  Melissa  not  dis- 
satisfied with  the  prospect  of  her  absence. 

Melissa  amused  herself  in  evenings  by 
reading  in  the  few  books  her  aunt  had 
brought  there,  and  in  the  day,  in  walking 
around  the  yard  and  garden,  or  in  travers- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  91 

ing  the  rooms  of  the  antique  building.  In 
some,  were  the  remains  of  ancient  furniture, 
others  were  entirely  empty.  Cobwebs  and 
mouldering  walls  were  the  principal  orna- 
ments left. 

One  evening  as  she  was  about  retiring  to 
rest,  she  thought  she  heard  the  same  tramp- 
ling noise  in  the  yard,  as  on  a  former  occa- 
sion. She  stepped  softly  to  the  window, 
suddenly  raised  it,  and  held  out  the  candle. 
She  listened  and  gazed  with  anxious  solici- 
tude, but  discovered  nothing  more.  All 
was  silent;  she  shut  the  window,  and  in  a 
short  time  wer>'«;  to  bed. 

Some  time  in  the  night  she  was  suddenly 
awakened  by  a  sharp  sound,  apparently 
near  her.  She  started  in  a  trembling  pa- 
nic, bnt  endeavoured  to  compose  herself 
with  the  idea,  that  something  had  fallen 
from  the  shelves.  As  she  lay  musing  upon 
the  incident,  she  heard  loud  noises  in  the 
rooms  below,  succeeded  by  an  irregular  and 
confused  number  of  voices  and  presently 
after,  footsteps  ascending  the  stairs  which 
led  to  her  chamber.  She  trembled  ;  a  cold 
chilly  sweat  run  down  her  /ace.  Directly 
the  doors  below  opened  and  shut  with  a 
quick  and  violent  motion.  And  soon  after 
she  was  convinced  that  she  distinctly  heard 
a  whispering  in  hei  room.  She  raised  her- 
self up  in  the  bed  and  cast  inquisitive  eyes 


92  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

towards  her  chamber  door.  All  was  dark- 
ness — no  new  object  was  visible — no  sound 
\N  as  lit  ard,  and  she  again  lay  down. 

Her  mind  was  too  much  agitated  and  a- 
1  armed  to  sleep.  She  had  evidently  heard 
sounds,  footsteps  and  voices  in  the  house, 
and  whisperings  which  appeared  to  be  in 
her  room.  The  yard  gate  was  locked,  o£ 
which  John  had  the  key.  She  was  confi- 
dent that  no  person  could  ascend  or  get 
aver  the  wall  of  the  enclosure.  But  if  that 
were  practicable,  how  was  it  possible  that 
any  human  being  could  enter  the  house  ? 
She  had  the  key  of  every  door,  and  they 
were  all  fast  locked,  and  yet  she  had  heard 
;hem  furiously  open  and  shut.  A  thought 
darted  into  her  mind, — was  it  not  a  plan 
which  her  aunt  had  contrived  in  order  to 
frighten  her  to  a  compliance  with  her  wish- 
es? But  then  how  could  she  enter  the 
house  without  keys  ?  This  might  be  done 
with  the  use  of  a  false  key.  But  from 
whence  did  the  whisperings  proceed,  which 
appeared  close  to  her  bedside  ?  Possibly 
it  might  be  conveyed  through  the  key-hole 
of  her  chamber  door.  These  thoughts  tend- 
ed in  some  degree,  to  allay  her  fears ; — 
they  were  possibilities,  at  least,  however 
improbable. 

As  she  lay  thus  musing,  a  hand,  cold  as 
the  ic)  fingers  of  death,  grasped  her  arm, 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  93 

which  lay  on  the  outside  of  the  bed  clothes. 
She  screamed  convulsively,  and  sprang  up 
in  the  bed.  Nothing  was  to  be  seen — no 
noise  was  heard.  She  had  not  time  to  re- 
flect. She  flew  out  of  the  bed,  ran  to  the 
fire,  and  lighted  a  candle.  Her  heart  beat 
rapidly.  She  cast  timid  glances  around  the 
room,  cautiously  searching  every  corner, 
and  examining  the  door.  All  things  were 
in  the  same  state  she  had  left  them  when 
she  went  to  bed.  Her  door  was  locked  in 
the  same  manner  ;  no  visible  being  was  in 
the  room  except  herself.  She  sat  dowu, 
pondering  on  these  sti%nge  events.  Was 
it  not  probable  that  she  was  right  in  h»-r 
first  conjectures  respecting  their  being  the 
works  of  her  aunt,  and  effected  by  her  a- 
gents  and  instrumentality  ?  All  were  pos- 
sible, except  the*  cold  hand  which  had  gras- 
ped her  arm.  Might  no';  this  be  the  effect 
of  a  terrified  and  heated  imagination  ?  Or 
if  false  keys  had  been  made  use  of  to  enter 
the  rooms  below,  might  they  not  also  be 
used  to  enter  her  chamber  ?  But  could  her 
room  be  unlocked,  persons  enter,  approach 
her  bed,  depart  and  re-lock  the  door,  whi'e 
she  was  awake,  without  her  hearing  them  ? 
She  knew  she  could  not  go  to  sleep,  and 
she  determined  not  to  go  to  bed  again  thc.t 
night.  She  took  up  a  book,  but  her  spirits 
had  been  too  much  disordered  by  the  past 


94  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

scenes  to  permit  her  to  read.  She  looked 
out  of  the  windo  ,v.  The  moon  had  arisen 
and  cast  a  pale  lustre  over  tLe  landscape. 
She  recollected  the  opening  and  shitting  ol* 
the  door — perhaps  they  were  still  open 
The  thought  was  alarming — S'ie  o^-ned 
her  chamber  door,  and  with  the  candle  ic 
her  hand,  cautiously  descended  the  stairs, 
casting  an  inquisitive  eye  in  every  direction, 
and  stopping  frequently  to  listen. — She  ad- 
vanced to  the  door ;  it  was  locked.  She 
examined  the  others  ;  they  were  in  the  same 
situation.  She  turned  to  go  up  stairs,  when 
a  loud  whisper  echoed  through  the  hall  ex- 
pressing "away!  away!"  She  flew  like 
lightning  to  her  chamber,  reloeked  the  door 
and  flung  herself,  almost  breathless,  into  a 
chair. 

As  soon  as  her  scattered  senses  collected, 
she  concluded  that  whatever  had  been  m 
the  house  was  there  still.  She  resolved  tc 
go  out  no  more  until  day,  which  soon  be- 
gan to  Discolour  the  east  with  a  fainter  blue, 
then  purple  streaks,  intermingled  with  a 
dusky  whiteness,  ascended  in  pyramidical 
columns  the  zenith;  these  fading  slowly 
away,  the  eastern  horizon  became  fringed 
with  the  golden  spangles  of  early  morn.  A 
spot  of  ineffable  brightness  succeeded,  and 
immediately  tbr  sun  burst  over  the  verge 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  95 

of  creation,  deluging  the  world  in  a  flood  of 
un-bounded  light  and  glory. 

As  soon  as  the  morning  had  a  little  ad- 
vanced, Melissa  ventured  out.  She  pro- 
ceeded with  hesitating  steps,  carefully  scru- 
tinizing every  object  which  met  her  sight. 
She  examined  every  door ;  they  were  a!! 
fast.  She  critically  searched  every  room, 
closet,  &c.  above  and  below.  She  then 
took  a  light  and  descended  into  the  cellar 
— here  her  inquisition  was  the  same.  Thus 
did  she  thoroughly  and  strictly  examine  and 
search  every  part  of  the  house  from  the  gar- 
ret to  the  cellar,  but  could  find  nothing  al- 
tered, changed,  or  removed  ;  no  outlet,  no 
signs  of  there  having  been  any  being  in  the 
nouse  the  evening  before,  except  herself. 

She  then  unlocked  the  outer  door  and 
proceeded  to  the  gate,  which  she  found 
locked  as  usua'l.  She  next  examined  the 
yard,  the  garden,  and  all  the  out  houses. 

Nothing  could  be  discovered  of  any  per- 
son having  been  recently  there.  She  next 
walked  around  by  the  wall,  the  whole  cir- 
cle of  the  enclosure.  She  was  convinced 
that  the  unusual  height  of  the  wall  rendered 
it  impossible  for  any  one  to  get  over  it.  It 
was  constructed  of  several  tier  of  hewed 
timbers,  and  both  sides  of  it  were  as  smooth 
as  glass.  On  the  top,  long  spikes  were 
thickly  driven  ia,  sharpened  at  both  ends. 
9 


96  ALO>'Z()    AND    MELISSA. 

It  was  surrounded  on  the  outside  by  a  deep 
wide  moat,  which  was  nearly  filled  witL 
water.  Over  this  moat  was  a  draw-b-ridge, 
on  the  ro-ad  leading  to  the  gate,  which  was 
drawn  up,  and  John  had  the  key. 

The  events  of  the  past  night,  therefore, 
remained  inscrutable.  It  must  be  that  her 
aunt  was  the  agent  who  had  managed  this 
extraordinary  machinery. 

She  found  John  at  the  hoi'se  when  she 
returned.  "  Does  madam  want  any  thing 
to-day  ?"  asked  he.  "  Has  my  aunt  return- 
ed r"  enquired  Melissa.  "  Not  yet,"  he 
replied.  "  How  long  has  she  been  gone  ?'* 
she  asked.  "Four  days,  replied  Jonn,  after 
counting  his  fingers,  and  she  will  not  be 
bark  under  four  or  five  more."  "  Has  the 
key  of  the  gate  been  constantly  in  your 
possession  r"  asked  she.  "  The  key  of  the 
gate  and  draw-bridge,  he  replied,  have  not 
been  out  of  my  possession  for  a  moment 
since  your  aunt  has  been  gone."  "  Has  any 
person  been  to  enquire  for  me  or  my  aunt, 
she  enquired,  since  I  have  been  here  r" — 
**No,  medam,  said  he,  not  a  single  person." 
Melissa  knew  not  what  to  think  ;  she  could 
liot  give  iip  the  idea  of  false  keys — perhaps 
her  aunt  had  returned  to  her  father's. — Per- 
haps the  draw-bridge  had  been  let  down, 
the  gate  opened,  and  the  house  entered  by 
means  of  false  keys.  Her  father  would  as 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  97 

soon  do  this  as  to  confine  her  in  this  solita- 
ry place  ;  and  he  would  go  all  lengths  to 
induce  her,  either  by  terror,  persuasion  or 
threats,  to  relinquish  A.lonzo  and  marry 
Beauman. 

A  thought  impressed  her  mind  which 
gave  her  some  consolation.  It  was  possible 
to  secure  the  premises  so  that  no-  per- 
son could  enter  even  by  the  aid  of  false 
keys.  She  asked  John  if  he  would  assist 
her  that  day.  "  In  anything  you  wish,  mad- 
am," he  replied.  She  then  directed  him 
to  go  to  work.  Staples  and  iron  bars  wers 
found  in  different  parts  of  the  building,  with 
which  he  secured  the  doors  and  windows, 
so  that  they  could  be  opened  only  on  the 
inside.  The  gate,  which  swung  in,  was  se- 
cured in  the  same  manner.  She  then  ask- 
ed John  if  he  was  willing  to  leave  the  key 
of  the  gate  and  the  draw-bridge  with  her. 
" Perhaps  I  may  as  well,"  said  he;  "for  if 
you  bar  the  gate  and  let  down  the  bridge,  I 
cannot  get  in  myself  until  you  let  me  in." 
John  handed  her  the  keys.  "  When  I 
come,"  said  he,  «*  I  will  halloo,  and  you  must 
let  me  in."  This  she  promised  to  do,  and 
John  departed.* 

That  night  Melissa  let  down  the  bridge, 


98  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

locked  and  barred  the  gate,  and  the  doors 
and  windows  of  the  house  :  she  al«o  went 
again  over  all  parts  of  tin;  building,  s-trictiy 
searching  erery  place,  though  she  was  well 
xmvinced  she  should  find  nothing  extraor- 
Jinary.  She  then  retired  to  her  chamber, 
seated  herself  at  a  western  window,  and 
watched  the  slow  declining  sun,  as  it  leisure- 
ly sunk  behind  the  lofty  groves.  Pensile, 
twilight  spread  her  misty  mantle  over  the 
landscape ;  the  western  horizon  glowed 
with  fiie  spangles  of  evening.  Deepening 
glooms  advanced.  The  last  beam  of  day 
faded  from  the  view,  and  the  world  was  en- 
veloped in  night.  The  owl  hooted  solemn- 
ly in  the  forest,  and  the  whippoorwill  sung 
cheerfully  in  the  garden.  Innumerable 
stars  glittered  in  the  urmament,  interming- 
ling their  quivering  lustre  with  the  pale 
splendours  of  the  milky  way. 

Melissa  did  not  retire  from  the  window 
until  late ;  she  then  shut  it  anu  withdrew 
within  the  room.  She  determined  not  to 
go  to  bed  that  night.  If  she  was  to  be  vi- 
sited by  beings,  material  or  immaterial,  she 
chose  not  again  to  encounter  them  in  dark- 
ness, or  to  be  surprised  when  she  was  a- 


If  si,  the  moat  filled  up;  the  lococtsand  elm  trws  vore  r 
ii!I  o'^trnctions  were   removed,  and   the  yard  n 
-..•rt-,1  int.)  a  beautiful  meadow.    An  elegant  fa. 
erpc'o.i   tin   the  [.laca    where   Jnhii'i    hut   the  i 
iit-ig  ih-'iUfjiuoJ  is  thinly  sutikil. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  99 

sleep.  But  why  should  she  fear  ?  She 
knew  of  none  she  had  displeased  except  he* 
father,  her  aunt  and  Beauman.  If  by  any 
of  those  the  late  terrifying  scenes  had  been 
wrought,  she  had  now  effectually  precluded 
a  recurrence  thereof,  for  she  was  well  con- 
vinced that  no  human  being  could  now  en- 
ter the  enclosure  without  her  permission. 
But  if  supernatural  agents  had  been  the  ac- 
tors, what  had  she  to  fear  from  them  r>  The 
night  passed  away  without  any  alarming 
circumstances,  and  when  daylight  appeared 
she  flung  herself  upon  the  bed,  and  slept 
until  the  morning  was  considerably  advan- 
ced. She  now  felt  convinced  that  he-r  for- 
mer conjectures  were  right ;  that  it  was 
her  aunt,  rier  father,  or  both,  who  ha.l  cau- 
sed the  alarming  sounds  she  had  heard,  a 
lepetition  of  which  had  only  been  prevent- 
ed by  the  precautions  she  had  taken. 

When  she  awoke,  the  horizon  was  ovei- 
•loud^d,  and  it  began  to  rain.  It  continu- 
ed to  rain  until  towards  evening,  when  it 
cleared  away.  She  went  to  the  gate,  and 
round  all  things  as  she  had  left  them :  She 
returned,  fastened  the  doors  as  usual,  ex- 
amined all  parts  of  the  house,  and  again  went 
ing  very  drowsy,  and  convinced  that  she 
has  safe  and^ecure,  she  went  to  bed  ;  leav- 


100  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

ing,  however,  two  candles  burning  in  the 
room.  As  she,  for  two  nights,  had  been  de- 
prived of  her  usual  rest,  she  soon  fell  into  a 
slumber. 

She  had  not  long  been  asleep  before  she 
was  suddenly  aroused  by  the  apparent  re- 
port of  a  pistol,  seemingly  discharged  close 
to  her  hec.d.  Awakened  so  instantaneous- 
ly, her  recollection,  for  a  time,  was  confu- 
sed and  imperfect.  She  was  only  sensible 
of  a  strong,  sulphureous  scent :  but  she  soon 
remembered  that  she  had  left  two  candles 
burning,  and  every  object  was  now  shroud- 
ed in  darkness.  This  alarmed  her  exceed- 
ingly. What  could  have  become  of  the 
candles  ?  They  must  have  been  blown  out 
or  taken  away.  What  was  the  sound  she 

had  just  hea?rd  ? What  the  sulphuieous 

stench  which  had  pervaded  the  room  ? 

While  she  was  thus  musing  in  perplexity,  a 
broad  flash  like  lightning,  transiently  illu- 
minated the  chamber,  followed  by  a  long, 
loud,  and  deep  roar,  which  seemed  to  shake 
the  building  to  its  centre.  It  did  not  ap- 
pear like  thunder  ;  the  sounds  seemed  to 
fce  in  the  rooms  directly  over  her  head. 
Perhaps,  however,  it  was  thunder. 

Perhaps  a  preceding  clap  had  struck  near 
the  building,  broken  the  windows,  put  out 
the  lights,  and  Oiled  the  house  with  the 
electric  effluvium.  She  listened  for  a  rep- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  101 

etition  of  the  thunder — but  a  very  different 
sound  soon  grated  on  her  ear.  A  hollow, 
horrible  groan  echoed  through  her  apart- 
ment, passing  off  in  a  faint  dying  murmur. 
It  was  evident  that  the  groan  proceeded 
from  some  person  in  the  chamber.  Melis- 
sa raised  herself  up  in  the  bed  ;  a  tall  white 
form  moved  from  the  upper  end  of  the  room, 
glided  slowly  by  her  bed,  and  seemed  to 
pass  off  near  the  foot.  She  then  heard  the 
doors  below  alternately  open  and  shut, 
slapping  furiously,  and  in  quick  succession, 
followed  by  violent  noises  in  the  rooms  be- 
low, like  the  falling  of  heavy  bodies  and 
the  crash  of  furniture.  Clamorous  voices 
succeeded,  among  which  she  could  distin- 
guish boisterous  menaces  and  threatenings, 
and  the  plaintive  tone  of  expostulation. — 
A  momentary  silence  ensued,  when  the  cry 
of  "Murder  !  murder  !  murder  !  /"  echoed 
through  the  building,  followed  by  the  re- 
port of  a  pistol,  and  shortly  after,  the  groans 
of  a  person  apparently  in  the  agonies  of 
death,  which  grew  fainter  and  fainter  un- 
til it  died  away  in  a  seemingly  expiring 
gasp.  A  de-ad  silence  prevailed  for  a  few 
minutes,  to  which  a  loud  hoarse  peal  of 
ghastly  laughter  succeeded — then  again  all 
was  still.  But  she  soon  heard  heavy  foot- 
steps ascending  the  stairs  to  her  chamber 
door.  It  was  now  she  became  terrified  and 
9* 


102  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

alarmed  beyond  any  former  example. 

"  Gracious  heaven,  defend  me  !  she  exclaim- 
ed; what  am  I  coming  to!"  Knowing 
that  every  avenue  to  the  enclosure  was  ef- 
rectually  secured ;  knowing  that  all  tbe 
doors  and  windows  of  the  house,  as  also  that 
which  opened  into  her  chamber,  were  fast 
locked,  strictly  bolted  and  barred  ;  a-nd 
knowing  that  all  the  keys  were  in  her  pos- 
session, she  could  not  entertain  the  least 
doubt  but  the  noises  she  had  heard  were 
produced  by  supernatural  beings,  and,  she 
had  reason  to  believe,  of  the  most  mischiev- 
ous nature.  She  was  now  convinced  that 
her  father  or  her  aunt  could  have  no  agency  in 
the  business.  She  even  wished  her  au;-t 
had  returned.  It  must  be  exceedingly  dif- 
ficult to  cross  the  moat,  as  the  draw  bridge 
was  up ;  it  must  be  still  more  difficult  to 
surpass  the  wall  of  the  enclosure  ;  it  was 
impossible  for  any  human  being  to  enter 
the  house,  and  still  more  impossible  to  en- 
ter her  chamber. 

While  she  lay  thus  ruminating  in  ex- 
freme  agitation,  momentarily  expecting  to 
have  her  ears  assailed  with  some  terrific 
sound,  a  pale  light  dimly  illuminated  her 
chamber.  It  grew  brighter.  She  raised 
nerself  up  to  look  towards  the  door  ; — the 
first  object  which  mot  her  eye,  was  a  most 
horrible  form,  standing  at  a  little  distance 


'LONZO    AND    MELISSA.  103 

from  her  bedside.  Its  appearance  was  tall 
nd  robust,  wrapped  in  a  tattered  white 
.obe,  spotted  with  blood.  The  hair  of  it& 
head  was  matted  with  clotted  gore.  A 
deep  wound  appeared  to  have  pierced  its 
breast,  from  which  fresh  blood  flowed  down 
its  garment.  Its  pale  face  was  gashed  and 
gory  !  its  eyes  fixed,  glazed,  and  glaring; — 
its  lips  open,  its  teeth  set,  and  in  its  hand 
was  a  bloody  dagger. 

Melista,  uttering  a  shriek  of  terror, 
shrunk  into  the  bed,  and  in  an  instant  the 
room  was  involved  in  pitchy  darkness.  A 
freezing  ague  seized  her  limbs,  and  drops  of 
chilling  sweat  stood  upon  her  face.  Imme- 
diately a  horrid  hoarse  voice  burst  from  a- 
midst  the  gloom  of  her  apartment,  "  Begone! 
begone  from  this  house  /"  The  bed  OH 
which  she  lay  then  seemed  to  be  agitated, 
and  directly  she  perceived  some  person 
crawling  on  its  foot.  Every  consideration, 
except  present  safety,  was  relinquished;  in- 
stantaneously she  sprang  from  the  bed  to 
Ihe  floor — with  convulsed  grasp,  seized  the 
candle,  flew  to  the  fire  and  lighted  it.  She 
gazed  wildly  around  the  room — no  new  ob- 
ject was  visible.  With  timid  step  she  ap- 
proached the  bed  ;  she  strictly  searched  all 
around  and  under  it,  but  nothing  strange 
could  be  found.  A  thought  darted  into  her 
te  leave  the  house  immediately  and 


104  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

fly  to  John's  :  this  was  easy,  as  the  keys  of 
the  gate  and  draw-bridge  were  in  her  pos- 
session. She  stopped  not  to  reconsider  her 
determination,  but  seizing  the  keys,  with 
the  candle  in  her  hand,  she  unlocked  her 
chambe"  dnor,  and  proceeded  cautiously 
down  stairs,  fearfully  °asting  her  eyes  on 
each  side,  as  she  tremblingly  advanced  to 
the  outer  door.  She  hesitated  a  moment. 
To  what  perils  was  she  about  to  expose 
herself,  by  thus  venturing  out  at  the  dead 
of  the  night,  and  proceeding  sueh  a  distance 
alone  ?  Her  situation  she  thought  could 
become  no  more  hazardous,  and  she  was  a- 
bout  to  unbar  the  door,  when  she  was  alar- 
med by  a  deep,  hollow  sigh.  She  looked 
around  and  saw,  stretched  on  one  side  of 
the  hall,  the  same  ghastly  form  which  had 
so  recently  appeared  standing  by  her  bed- 
side. The  same  haggard  countenance,  the 
same  awful  appearance  of  murderous  death. 
A  faintness  came  upon  her;  she  turned  to 
flee  to  her  chamber — the  candle  dropped 
from  her  trembling  hand,  and  she  was 
shrouded  in  impenetrable  darkness.  She 
groped  to  find  the  stairs :  as  she  came  near 
their  foot,  a  black  object,  appareLtly  in  hu- 
man shape,  stood  before  her,  with  eyes 
which  seemed  to  burn  like  coals  of  fire,  and 
red  llames  issuing  from  its  mouth.  As  she 
stood  fixed  a  moment  in  inexpressible  tie- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  105 

pidation,  a  large  ball  of  fire  rolled  along  the 
bail,  towards  the  door,  and  burst  with  an 
explosion  which  seemed  to  rock  the  build- 
ing to  its  deepest  foundation.  Melissa  clo- 
sed her  eyes  and  sunk  senseless  to  the  floor. 
She  revived  and  got  to  her  chamber,  she 
hardly  knew  how  ;  locked  her  door,  lighted 
another  candle,  and  after  again  searching 
the  room,  flung  herself  into  a  chair,  in  a 
state  of  mind  which  almost  deprived  her 
of  reason. 

Daylight  soon  appeared,  and  the  cheerful 
§un  darting  its  enlivening  rays  through  the 
crevices  and  windows  of  the  antique  man- 
sion, recovered  her  exhausted  spirits,  and 
dissipated,  in  some  degree,  the  terrors  which 
hovered  about  her  mind.  She  endeavour- 
ed to  reason  coolly  on  the  eve.rds  of  the 
past  night,  but  reason  could  not  elucidate 
them.  Not  the  least  noise  had  been  heard 
since  she  last  returned  to  her  chamber: 
ghe  therefore  expected  to  discover  no  traits 
which  might  tend  to  a  disclosure  of  those 
mysteries.  She  consoled  herself  only  with 
a  fixed  determination  to  leave  the  desolate 
mansion.  Should  John  come  there  that 
diy,  he  might  be  prevailed  on  to  permit 
her  to  remain  at  her  aunt's  apartment  in 
his  house  until  her  aunt  should  return.  If 
he  should  not  come  before  sunset,  she  resolv- 
£  J  to  leave  the  mansion  and  proceed  there. 


106  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

She  took  some  refreshment  and  went 
down  stairs  :  she  found  the  doors  and  win- 
dows all  fast  as  she  had  left  them.  She 
then  again  searched  every  room  in  the 
house,  both  above  and  below,  and  the  cel- 
lar; but  she  discovered  no  appearance  of 
there  having  been  any  person  there.  Net 
the  smallest  article  was  displaced ;  every 
thing  appeared  as  it  had  formerly  been. — • 
She  then  went  to  the  gate;  it  was  locked 
as  usual,  and  the  draw-bridge  was  up.  She 
again  traversed  the  circuit  of  the  wall,  but 
found  no  alteration,  or  any  place  where  it 
was  possible  the  enclosure  might  be  enler- 
ed.  Again  she  visited  the  outer  buildings, 
u.id  even  entered  the  cemetery,  but  disco- 
vered not  the  least  circumstance  which 
could  conduce  to  explain  the  surprising 
transactions  of  the  preceding  night.  She 
however  returned  to  her  room  in  a  more 
composed  frame  of  spirit,  confident  that  she 
should  not  remain  alone  another  night  in  that 
gloomy,  desolate,  and  dangerous  solitude. 

Towards  evening  Melissa  took  her  usual 
walk  around  the  enclosure.  It  was  that 
season  of  the  year  when  weary  summer  is 
lapsing  intc  the  arms  of  fallow  autumn. — 
The  day  had  been  warm,  and  the  light  gales 
bore  revigorating  coolness  on  their  wings  as 
they  tremulously  agitated  the  foliage  of  the 
western  forest,  or  fluttered  among  the 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA  107 

branches  of  the  trees  surrounding  the  man- 
sion. The  green  splendours  of  spring  had 
begun  to  fade  into  a  yellow  lustre,  the 
(lowery  verdure  of  the  fields  was  changed 
to  a  russet  hue.  A  robin  chirped  on  a  neigh- 
bouring oak,  a  wren  chattered  beneath, 
swallows  twittered  around  the  decayed  buil- 
dings, the  ludicrous  mocking  bird  sun« 
sportively  from  the  top  of  the  highest  elm 
and  the  surrounding  groves  rung  with  vary 
ing,  artless  melody;  while  deep  in  tin 
adjacent  wilderness  the  woodcock,  hammer- 
ing on  some  dry  and  blasted  trees,  filled  the 
woods  with  reverberant  echoes.  The 
Sound  was  only  ruffied  by  the  lingering 
breezes,  as  they  idly  wandered  over  its  s-ur- 
face.  Long  Island,  now  in  possession  of 
the  British  troops,  was  thinly  enveloped  in 
smoky  vapour ;  scattered  along  its  shores 
lay  the  numerous  small  craft  and  larger 
ships  of  the  hostile  fleet.  A  few  skiffs  were 
passing  and  repasslng  the  Sound,  and  seve- 
ral American  gun-boats  lay  off  a  point  which 
jutted  out  fro  n  the  main  land,  far  to  the 
eastward.  Numberless  summer  insects 
mingled  their  discordant  strains  amidst  the 
weedy  herbage.  A  heavy  black  cloud  was 
rising  in  the  north  west,  which  seemed  to 
portend  a  shower,  as  the  sonorous,  distant 
'thunder  was  at  long  intervals  distinctly 
beard. 


108  ALONZO    AND   MELISSA. 

Melissa  walked  around  the  yard,  cr>niem~ 
plating  the  varying  beauties  of  the  scene  : 
the  images  of  departed  joys — the  days  when 
Alonzo  had  participated  with  her  in  admir- 
ing the  splendours  of  rural  prospects,  raised 
in  her  bosom  the  sigh  of  deep  regret.  She 
entered  the  garden  and  traversed  the  al- 
leys, now  overgrown  with  weeds  and  tufted 
knot-grass.  The  flowerbeds  were  choaked 
with  the  low  running  bramble  and  tangling 
iive-fiuger;  tall,  rank  rushes,  muilens  and 
daisies,  had  usurped  the  empire  of  the 
kitchen  garden.  The  viny  arbour  was  bro- 
ken, and  principally  gone  to  decay;  yet 
the  "  lonely  wiM  rose"  blushed  mournfully 
amidst  the  ruins.  As  she  passed  from  the 
garden  she  involuntarily  stopped  at  the  ce- 
metery :  she  paused  in  serious  reflection : 
— u  Here,  said  she,  in  this  house  of  gloom 
rest,  in  undisturbed  silence,  my  honouiable 
ancestors,  once  the  active  tenants  of  yon- 
der mansion.  Then,  throughout  these  soli- 
tary demesnes,  the  busy  occurrences  of  life 
glided  in  cheerful  circles.  Then,  these  now 
moss-clad  alleys,  and  this  wild  weedy  gar- 
den, were  the  resort  of  the  fashionable  and 
file  gay.  Then,  evening  music  floated  over 
the  iields,  while  yonder  halls  and  apart- 
ments shone  in  brilliant  illumination.  Now 
Ai\  is  sad,  solitiuy  and  dreary,  the  haunt  of 
spirit*  and  spectres  ol  nameless  terror.  All 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  109 

that  now  remains  of  the  head  that  formed, 
the  hand  that  executed,  and  the  bosom  that 
relished  this  once  happy  scenery,  is  now, 
alas,  only  a  heap  of  dust." 

She  seated  herself  on  a  little  hillock,  un- 
Jer  a  weeping  willow,  which  stood  near  me 
cemetery,  and  watched  the  rising  shower, 
which  ascended  in  gloomy  pomp,  half  hid- 
den behind  the  western  groves,  shrouding 
the  low  sun  in  black  vapour,  while  co'min<* 
thunders  more  nearly  and  more  awfully  rol- 
led. The  shrieking  night  hawk*  soared 
high  into  the  air,  mingling  with  the  lurid 
van  of  the  approaching  storm,  which  widen- 
ing, nore  rapidly  advanced,  until  "the  heav- 
ens w^re  arrayed  in  blackness." 

The  lightning  broader  and  brighter  flash- 
es, hurling  down  its  forky  streaming  bolts 
far  in  the  wilderness,  its  flaming  path  fol- 
lowed by  the  vollying  artillery  of  the  skies. 
Now  bending  its  long,  crinkling  spires  over 
the  vallies,  now  glimmering  along  the  sum- 
mit of  the  hills.  Convolving  clouds  pour- 
ed smoky  volumes  through  the  expan- 
sion ;  a  deep,  hollow,  distant  roar,  announ- 
ced the  approach  of  "  summoned  winds." 
The  whole  forest  bowed  in  awful  grandeur, 
as  from  its  dark  bosom  rushed  the  impetu- 
ous hurricane,  twisting  off,  or  tearing  up 

"Supposed  to  be  the  male  vhippoonvU!:  well  known  in  th« 
H.\»-.t,.loiaad  »ucw»,  and  amw<  ring  to  the  above  peculiarity. 

JO 


110  ALONZO    A.ND    MELISSA.. 

by  the  roots,  the  stoutest  trees,  whirling 
the  heaviest  branches  through  the  air  with 
irresistible  fury.  Il  dashed  upon  the  sea, 
tossed  it  into  irregular  mountains,  or  ming- 
led its  white  foamy  spray  with  the  gloom 
of  the  curbid  skies.  Slant-wise,  the  large 
heavy  drops  of  rain  began  to  descend.  Me- 
lissa hastened  to  the  mansion ;  as  she  reach- 
ed the  door  a  very  brilliant  flash  of  light- 
ning, accompanied  by  a  tremendous  explo- 
sion, alarmed  her.  A  thunder  bolt  had  en- 
tered a  large  elm  tree  within  the  enclosure, 
and  with  a  horrible  crash,  had  shivered  it 
from  top  to  bottom.  She  unlocked  the 
door  and  hurried  10  her  chamber.  Deep 
night  now  filled  the  atmosphere;  the  rain 
poured  in  torrents,  the  wind  rocked  the 
building,  and  bellowed  in  the  adjacent 
groves :  the  sea  raged  and  roared,  fierce 
lightnings  rent  the  heavens,  alternately  in- 
volving the  world  in  the  sheeted  flame  of 
its  many  coloured  fires;  thunders  rolled 
awfully  around  the  firmament,  or  burst 
with  horrid  din,  bounding  and  reverberat- 
ing among  the  surrounding  Woods,  hills  and 
vallies.  It  seemed  nothing  less  than  the 
crash  of  worlds  sounding  through  the  uni- 
verse. 

Melissa  walked  her  room,  listening  to  the 
wild  commotion  of  the  elements.  She  fear- 
ed that  If  the  storm  continued,  she  should 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  Ill 

be  compelled  to  pass  another  night  in  the 
lou-e  mansion  :  if  so,  she  resolved  not  to 
go  to  bed.  She  now  suddenly  recollected 
that  in  her  haste  to  regain  her  chamber,  she 
had  forgotten  to  lock  the  outer  door.  The 
shock  she  had  received  when  the  lightning 
demolished  the  elm  tree,  was  the  cause  of 
this  neglect.  She  took  the  candle,  ran 
hastily  down,  and  fastened  the  door.  As 
she  was  returning,  she  heard  footsteps,  and 
imperfectly  saw  the  glance  of  something 
coming  out  of  an  adjoining  room  into  the 
hall.  Supposing  some  ghastly  object  was 
approaching,  she  averted  her  eyes  and  flew 
to  the  stairs.  As  she  was  ascending  them, 
a  voice  behind  her  exclaimed,  "  Gracious 
heaven!  Melissa!"  The  voice  agitated 
her  frame  with  a  confused,  sympathetic 
sensation.  She  turned,  fixed  her  eyes  upon 
the  person  who  had  spoken  ;  unconnected 
ideas  floated  a  moment  in  her  imagination  : 
"  Eternal  powers  !  she  cried,  it  is  Alonzo." 
Alonzo  and  Melissa  were  equally  surpri- 
sed at  so  unexpected  a  meeting.  They 
could  scarcely  credit  their  own  senses.— 
How  he  had  discovered  her  solitude — what 
led  him  to  that  lonely  place — how  he  had 
got  over  the  wall — were  queries  which  first 
arose  in  her  mind.  He  likewise  could  not 
conceive  by  what  miracle  he  should  find 
her  in  a  remote,  desol  ite  building,  which 


112  ALONZO    A>"J    MELISSA. 

he  had  supposed  to  be  uninhabited.  With 
rapture  he  took  her  trembling  hand;  tears 
of  joy  choaked  their  utterance.  "You  arr 
wet,  Alonzo,  said  Melissa  at  length ;  we 
will  go  up  to  my  chamber ;  I  have  a  fire 
there,  where  you  can  dry  your  clothes." — 
— "  Your  chamber;  repfied  Alonzo  .  who 
then  inhabits  this  house  ?"  u  No  one  ex 
cept  myself,  she  answered;  I  am  here  a 
lone,  Alonzo."  "  Alone  !  he  exclaimed — 
here  alone,  Melissa!  Good  God!  tell  IIIA 
how — why — by  what  means  are  you  here  a- 
lone  ?"  "  Let  us  go  up  to  »ny  chamber, 
she  replied,  and  1  will  tell  you  all." 

He  followed  her  to  her  apartment  and 
seated  himself  by  the  fire.  **  You  want  re- 
fpeshmenf,"  said  Melissa — which  was  in- 
deed the  case,  as  he  had  been  long  without 
any,  and  was  wet,  hungry  and  weary. 

She  immediately  set  about  preparing  tea 
aud  soon  had  it  ready,  and  a  comfortable 
repast  was  spread  for  his  entertainment. — 
And  now,  reader,  if  thou  art  a  child  of  na- 
ture, if  thy  bosom  is  susceptible  of  refined 
sensibility,  contemplate  for  a  moment,  Me- 
iissa  and  Alonzo  seated  at  the  same  table,  a 
table  prepared  by  her  own  hand,  in  a  lone- 
ly mansion,  separated  from  society,  and  no 
one  to  interrupt  them.  After  innumerable 
difficulties,  troubles  and  perplexities ;  after 
vexing  embarrassments,  and  a  cruel  sopara 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  113 

tion,  they  were  once  more  together,  and 
for  some  time  every  other  consideration 
was  lost.  The  violence  of  the  storm  had 
not  abated.  The  lightning  still  blazed,  the 
thunder  bellowed,  the  wind  roared,  the  sea 
raged,  the  rain  poured,  mingled  with  heavy 
hail .  Alonzo  and  Melissa  heard  a  little  of  it. 
She  told  him  all  tha-t  had  happened  to  her 
since  they  parted,  except  the  strange  noises 
and  awful  sights  which  had  terrified  her 
during  her  confinement  in  that  solitary 
building :  this  she  considered  unnecessary 
and  untimely,  in  her  present  situation. 

Alonzo  informed  her,  that  as  soon  as  he 
had  learned  the  manner  in  which  she  had 
been  sent  away,  he  left  the  house  of  Vin- 
cent arid  went  to  her  father's  to  see  if  he 
could  not  find  out  by  some  of  the  domes- 
tics what  course  her  aunt  had  taken.  None 
of  them  knew  any  thing  about  it.  He  did 
not  put  himself  in  the  way  of  her  father,  as 
he  was  apprehensive  of  ill  treatment  there- 
by. He  then  went  to  several  places  among 
the  relatives  of  tl-e  family  where  he  had 
heretofore  visited  with  Melissa,  most  of 
whom  received  him  with  a  cautious  cold- 
ness. At  length  he  came  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Simpson,  the  gentleman  to  whose  seat 
Alonzo  was  once  driven  by  a  shower,  where 
he  accidentally  found  Melissa  on  a  visit,  as 
mentioned  before.  Here  he  was  admitted 
10*  G 


114  ALONZQ    AND    MELISSA. 

with  the  ardour  of  friendship.  They  had 
heard  his  story  :  Melissa  had  kept  up  a  cor- 
respondence with  one  of  the  young  ladies  ; 
they  were  therefore  informed  of  all,  except 
Melissa's  removal  from  her  father's  house  : 
of  this  they  knew  nothing  until  told  there- 
ol  by  Alonzo. 

"  I  am  surprised  at  the  conduct  of  my 
kinsman,  said  Mr.  Simpson  ;  for  though  his 
determinations  are,  like  the  laws  of  the 
Medes  and  Persians,  unalterable,  yet  I  have 
ever  believed  that  the  welfare  of  his  chil- 
dren lay  nearest  his  heart.  In  the  present 
instance  he  is  certainly  pursuing  a  mista 
ken  policy.  I  will  go  and  see  him."  He 
then  ordered  his  horse,  desiring  Alonzo  to 
remain  at  his  house  until  he  returned. 

Alonzo  was  treated  with  the  most  friend- 
ly politeness  by  the  family  ;  he  found  that 
they  were  deeply  interested  in  his  favour 
and  the  welfare  of  Melissa.  At  evening 
Mr.  Simpson  returned.  "  It  is  in  vain,  said 
he,  to  reason  with  my  kinsman ;  he  is  de- 
termined that  his  daughter  shall  marry  your 
rival.  He  will  not  even  inform  me  to  what 
place  he  has  sent  Melissa.  Her  aunt  how- 
ever is  with  her,  and  they  must  be  at  the 
residence  of  some  of  the  family  relatives.-— 
I  will  despatch  my  son  William  among 
connections,  to  see  if  he  can  find  her 

The  next  morning  William  depart 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  115 

was  gone  two  days ;  but  eould  not  obtain 
the  least  intelligence  either  of  Melissa  or 
her  aunt,  although  he  had  been  the  rounds 
among  the  relations  of  the  family. 

"There  is  some  mystery  in  this  affair, 
said  Mr,  Simpson.  I  am  very  little  ac- 
quainted with  Melissa's  aunt.  I  have  un- 
derstood that  she  draws  a  decent  support 
from  her  patrimonial  resources,  which,  k  is 
said,  are  pretty  large,  and  that  she  resides 
alternately  with  her  different  relatives.  I 
have  understood  also  that  my  kinsman  ex- 
pects her  fortune  to  come  into  his  family, 
in  ease  she  never  marries,  which,  in  all 
probability,  she  now  will  not,  and  that  she, 
in  consequence,  holds  considerable  influ- 
ence over  him.  It  is  not  possible  but  that 
Melissa  is  yet  concealed  at  some  place  of 
her  aunt's  residence,  and  that  the  family 
are  m  the  secret.  I  think  it  cannot  be 
long  before  they  will  disclose  themselves  : 
You,  Alonzo,  are  welcome  to  make  my 
house  your  home ;  and  if  Melissa  can  be 
found,  she  shall  be  treated  as  my  daugh- 
ter." 

Alonzo  thanked  him  for  his  friendship 
and  fatherly  kindness.  "  I  must  continue, 
said  he,  my  researches  for  Melissa ;  the  re- 
sult you  shall  know." 

He  then  departed,  and  travelled  through 
the  neighbouring  villages  and  adjoining 


<>  116  ALONZO    AND   MELISSA. 

neighbourhoods,  making,  at  almost  every 
house,  such  enquiries  as  he  considered  ne- 
cessary on  the  occasion.  He  at  length  ar- 
rived at  the  inn  in  the  last  little  village 
where  Melissa  and  her  aunt  had  stopped 
the  day  they  came  to  the  mansion.  Here 
the  inn-keeper  informed  him  that  two  k- 
dies,  answering  his  description,  had  been  at 
his  house  :  he  named  the  time,  which  was 
the  day  in  which  Melissa,  with  her  aunt, 
left  her  father's  house.  The  inn-keeper 
told  him  that  they  purchased  some  articles 
in  the  village,  and  drove  off  to  the  south. 
Alonzo  then  traversed  the  country  adjoin- 
ing the  Sound,  far  to  the  westward,  and 
was  returning  eastward,  when  he  was  over- 
taken by  the  shower.  No  house  being 
within  sight,  be  betook  himself  to  the  for- 
est for  shelter.  From  a  little  hilly  glade 
in  the  wilderness,  he  discovered  the  lonely 
mansion  which,  from  its  appearance,  he  ve- 
ry naturally  supposed  to  be  uninhabited. — 
The  tempest  soon  becoming  severe,  he 
thought  he  would  endeavour  to  reach  the 
£iuse. 

When  he  arrived  at  the  moat,  he  found 
it  impossible  to  cross  it,  or  ascend  the  wall ; 
and  he  stood  in  momentary  jeopardy  of  his 
life,  from  the  falling  timber,  some  of  which 
was  broken  and  torn  up  by  the  tornado,  and 
some  splintered  by  the  fiery  bolts  of  hea- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISA  117 

ven.  At  length  a  large  tree,  which  stood 
r*ear  him,  on  the  verge  of  the  moat,  or  ra- 
ther in  that  place,  was  hurled  from  its  foun- 
dation, and  fell,  with  a  hideous  crash,  across 
the  moat,  its  top  lodging  on  the  wall.  He 
scrambled  up  on  the  truok,  and  made  his 
way  on  the  wall.  By  the  incessant  glare 
of  lightning  he  was  able  to  see  distinctly. 
The  top  of  the  tree  was  partly  broken  by 
the  force  of  its  fall,  and  hung  down  the  oth- 
er side  of  the  wall.  By  these  branches  he 
let  hLnself  down  into  the  yard,  proceeded 
to  the  house,  found  the  door  open,  which 
Melissa  had  left  in  her  fright,  and  entered 
into  one  of  the  rooms,  where  he  proposed 
to  stay  until  at.  least  the  shower  was  over, 
still  supposing  the  house  unoccupied,  until 
the  noise  of  locking  the  door,  and  the  light 
of  the  candle,  drew  him  from  the  room, 
svhen,  to  his  infinite  surprise,  he  discovered 
Melissa,  as  before  related. 

Melissa  listened  to  Alonzo  with  varied  e- 
motion.  The  fixed  obduracy  of  her  father, 
the  generous  conduct  ot  the  Simpsons,  the 
constancy  of  Aljnzo,  filled  her  heart  with 
inexpressible  sensations.  She  foresaw  that 

her  sufferings  were  not  shortly  to  end 

she  knew  not  when  her  sorrows  were  to 
close. 

Alonzo  was  shocked  at  the  alteration 
which  appeared  in  the  features  of  Melissa. 


118  ALGSZO    AND     MELISSA. 

The  rose  had  faded  from  her  cheek,  except 
when  it  was  transiently  suffused  with  a  hec- 
tic flush.  A  livid  paleness  sat  upon  her 
countenance,  a-nd  her  fine  form  was  rapidly 
wasting.  It  was  easy  to  be  foreseen  that 
the  grief  which  preyed  upon  her  heart 
would  soon  destroy  her,  unless  speedily  al- 
layed. 

The  storm  had  now  passed  into  the  re- 
gions of  the  east ;  the  wind  and  rain  had 
ceased,  the  lightning  more  unfrequendy 
dashed,  and  the  thunder  rolled  at  a  dis- 
tance. The  hours  passed  hastily  ; — day 
would  soon  appear.  Hitherto  they  had 
been  absorbed  in  the  present  moment;  it 
was  time  to  think  of  the  future.  After  tke 
troubles  they  had  experienced;  after  so 
fortunate  a  meeting,  they  could  not  endure 
the  idea  of  another  and  immediate  separa- 
tion. And  yet  immediately  separated  they 
must  be.  It  would  iiot  be  safe  for  Alonzo 
to  stay  even  until  the  rising  sun,  un]e«s  he 
was  concealed ;  and  of  what  use  conld  it 
be  for  him  to  remain  there  in  conceal- 
ment ? 

In  this  dilemma  there  was  but  one  expe- 
dient. "Suffer  me,  said  Alonzo  to  Melissa, 
to  remove  you  from  this  solitary  confine- 
ment. Your  healm  is  impaired.  To  you, 
your  father  is  no  more  a  father;  he  has 
iteeled  his  bosom  to  paternal  affection  ;  he 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  119 

has  banished  you  from  his  house,  placed 
you  under  the  tyranny  of  others,  and  confi- 
ned you  in  a  lonely,  desolate  dwelling,  far 
from  the  sweets  of  society;  and  this  only 
because  you  cannot  heedlessjy  renounce  a 
most  solemn  contract,  formed  under  his 
eye,  and  sanctioned  by  his  immediate  con- 
sent and  approbation.  Pardon  me,  Melissa, 
I  would  not  censure  your  father ;  but  per- 
mit me  to  say,  that  after  such  treatment, 
you  are  absolved  from  implicit  obedience  to 
his  rigorous,  cruel,  and  stern  commands. — 
It  will  therefore  be  considered  a  duty  you 
owe  to  your  preservation,  if  you  suffer  me 
to  remove  you  from  the  tyrannical  severity 
with  which  you  are  oppressed." 

Melissa  sighed,  wiping  a  tear  which  fell 
from  her  eye.  "Unqualified  obedience  to 
my  parents,  said  she,  I  have  ever  consider- 
ed the  first  of  duties,  and  have  religiously 

practised  thereon but  where,  Alonzo, 

would  you  remove  me  ?"  "To  any  place 
you  shall  appoint,"  he  answered.  "I  have 
no  where  to  go,"  she  replied. 

If  you  will  allow  me  to  name  the  place, 
said  he,  I  will  mention  Mr.  Simpson's.  He 
will  espouse  your  cause  and  be  a  father  to 
you,  and,  if  conciliation  is  possible,  will  re- 
concile you  to  your  father.  This  can  be 
done  without  my  being  known  to  have  any 
agency  in  the  business.  It  can  seem  as  it 


120  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Mi*,  Simpson  had  found  you  out  He  will 
go  any  just  lengths  to  serve  us.  It  was  his 
desire,  if  you  could  be  found,  to  have  you 
brought  to  his  house.  There  you  can  re- 
main either  in  secret  or  openly,  as  you  shall 
choose.  Be  governed  by  me  in  this,  Me- 
lissa, and  in  all  things  I  will  obey  you 
thereafter.  I  will  then  submit  to  the  fu- 
ture events  of  fate ;  but  I  cannot  Melissa — 
I  cannot  leave  you  in  this  doleful  place." 

Melissa  arose  and  walked  the  room  in 
extreme  agitation.  What  could  she  do  ? 
She  had,  indeed,  determined  to  leave  the 
house,  for  reasons  which  Alonzo  knew  no- 
thing of.  But  should  she  leave  it  in  the 
way  she  had  proposed,  she  was  not  sure  but 
she  would  be  immediately  remanded  back, 
more  strictly  guarded,  and  more  severely 
treated.  To  continue  there,  under  existing 
circumstances,  would  be  impossible,  long  to 
exist.  She  therefore  came  to  a  determination 
— "  I  will  go,  she  said,  to  Mr.  Simpson's." 

It  was  then  agreed  that  Alonzo  should 
proceed  to  Vincent's,  interest  them  in  the 
plan,  procure  a  carriage,  and  return  at  elev- 
en o'clock  the  next  night  Melissa  was 
to  have  the  draw-bridge  down,  and  the  gate 
open.  If  John  should  come  to  the  house 
the  succeeding  day,  she  would  persuade 
him  to  let  her  still  keep  the  keys.  But  it 
was  possible  her  aunt  might  return.  This 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  121 

would  render  the  execution  of  the  scheme 
more  hazardous  and  difficult.  A  signal  was 
therefore  agreed  on ;  if  her  aunt  should  be 
there,  a  candle  was  to  be  placed  at  the 
window  fronting  the  gate,  in  the  room 
above;  if  not,  it  was  to  be  placed  against  a 
similar  window  in  the  room  below.  In  the 
first  case  Alonzo  was  to  rap  loudly  at  the 
door.  Melissa  was  to  run  down,  under  pre- 
tence of  seeing  who  was  there,  fly  with  A- 
lonzo  to  the  carriage,  and  leave  her  aunt 
to  scrape  acquaintance  with  the  ghosts  and 
'goblins  of  the  old  mansion.  For  even  if 
her  aunt  should  return,  which  was  extreme- 
ly doubtful,  she  thought  she  could  contrive 
to  let  down  the  bridge  and  unlock  the  gate 
in  the  evening  without  her  knowledge.  At 
any  rate  she  was  determined  not  to  let  the 
keys  go  out  of  her  hands,  unless  they  were 
forced  from  her,  until  she  had  escaped  from 
that  horrid  and  dreary  place. 

Daylight  began  to  break  from  the  east, 
and  Alonzo  prepared  to  depart.  Melissa 
accompanied  him  to  the  gate  and  the 
bridge,  which  was  let  down:  he  passed 
over,  and  she  slowly  withdrew,  both  fre- 
quently turning  to  look  back.  When  she 
came  to  the  gate,  she  stopped; — Alonzo 
stopped  also.  She  waved  a  white  handker- 
chief she  had  in  her  hand,  and  Alonzo  bow- 
ed in  answer  to  the  sign.  She  then  leis- 
11 


122  ALONZO    A:.       MELISSA. 

urely  entered  and  slowly  shut  the  gate.— 
Alonzo  could  not  forbear  climbing  up  into 
a  tree  to  catch  another  glimpse  of  her  aj 
she  passed  up  the  avenue.  With  lingering 
step  he  saw  her  move  along,  soon  receding 
from  his  view  in  the  gray  twilight  of  misty 
morning.  He  then  descended,  and  hastily 
proceeded  on  his  journey. 

Traits  of  glory  now  painted  the  eastern 
skies.  The  glittering  day-star,  having  un- 
barred the  portals  of  light,  began  to  trans- 
mit its  retrocessive  lustre.  Thin  scuds  flew 
swiftly  over  the  moon's  decrescent  form. 
Low,  hollow  winds,  murmured  among  the 
bushes,  or  brushed  the  limpid  drops  from 
intermingling  foliage.  The  fire-fly*  sunk, 
feebly  twinkling,  amidst  the  herbage  of  the 
fields.  The  dusky  shadows  of  night  fled  to 
the  deep  glens,  and  rocky  caverns  of  the 
wilderness.  The  American  lark  soared  high 
in  the  air,  consecrating  its  matin  lay  to 
morn's  approaching  splendours.  The  wood- 
lands began  to  ring  with  native  melody — 
the  forest  tops,  on  high  mountains,  caught 
the  sun's  first  ray,  which,  widening  and  ex- 
tending, soon  gem'd  the  landscape  with 
brilliants  of  a  thousand  varioas  dies* 

As  Alonzo  came  out  of  the  fields  near 
the  road,  he  saw  two  persons  passing  in  an 
open  chair.  They  suddenly  stopped,  earu- 

*'i'Lc  Au.-ncaii  lump)  rij,  vulg.irJj  calliii  the  ughuiii.K-uiig. 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  123 

e&  Y  §az;ino  at  him'  They  weie  wrapped 
in  long  ridiDg  cloaks,  and  it  could  not  be 
distinguished  from  their  dress  whether  they 
were  men  or  women.  He  stood  not  to  no- 
tice them,  but  made  the  best  of  his  way  to 
Vincent's,  where  he  arrived  about  noon. 
— Rejoiced  to  find  that  he  had  discovered 
Melissa,  they  applauded  the  plan  of  her  re- 
moval, and  assisted  him  in  obtaining  a  car- 
riage. A  sedan  was  procured,  and  he  sat 
out  to  return,  promising  to  see  Vincent  a- 
gain,  as  soon  as  he  had  removed  Melissa  to 
Mr.  Simpson's.  He  made  such  use  of  his 
time  as  to  arrive  at  the  mansion  at  the 
hour  appointed.  He  found  the  draw-budge 
down,  the  gate  open,  and  saw,  as  had  been 
agreed  upon,  the  light  at  the  lower  window, 
glimmering  through  the  branches  of  trees. 
He  was  therefore  assured  that  Melissa  was 
alone.  His  heart  beat ;  a  joyful  tremor 
seized  his  frame ;  Melissa  was  soon  to  be 
under  his  care,  for  a  short  time  at  least. — 
He  drove  up  to  the  house,  sprang  out  of 
the  carnage,  and  fastened  his  horse  to  a  lo- 
cust tiee:  The-  door  was  open*  he  went 
in,  flew  lightly  up  stairs,  entered  her  cham- 
ber— Melissa  was  not  there  !  A  small  fire 
was  blazing  on  the  hearth,  a  candle  was 
burning  on  the  table.  He  stood  petrified 
tyith  amazement,  then  gazed  around  in 
anxious  solicitude.  What  could  have  be- 


124  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA 

coine  of  her  ?  It  was  impossible,  he  tho't, 
but  that  sho  must  still  be  there.. 

Had  she  been  removed  by  fraud  or  force, 
the  signal  candle  would  not  have  been  al 
the  window.  Perhaps,  in  a  freakish  mo- 
ment, she  had  concealed  herself  for  no 
other  purpose  than  to  cause  him  a  little 
perplexity.  He  therefore  took  the  candle 
and  searched  every  corner  of  the  chamber, 
arid  every  room  of  the  house,  not  even  mis- 
sing the  garret  and  the  cellar.  He  then 
placed  the  candle  in  a  lantern,  and  went 
out  and  examined  the  out-houses :  he  next 
went  round  the  garden  and  the  yard,  strict- 
ly exploring  and  investigating  every  place; 
but  he  found  her  net  He  repeatedly  and 
loudly  called  her  by  name;  he  was  answered 
only  by  the  solitary  echoes  of  the  wilderness. 

Again  he  returned  to  the  house,  traversed 
the  rooms,  there  also  calling  on  the  name 
of  Melissa  :  his  voice  reverberated  from  the 
walls,  dying  away  in  solemn  murmurs  it  the 
distant  empty  apartments.  Thus  did  he 
continue  his  anxious  scrutiny,  alternately, 
in  the  house  and  the  enclosure,  Until  day-  - 
but  no  traces  could  be  discovered,  nothing 
seen  or  heard  of  Melissa.  What  had  be- 
come of  her  he  could  not  form  the  most 
distant  conjecture.  Nothing  was  removed 
from  the  house ;  the  beds,  the  chairs,  the 
table,  all  the  furniture  remained  in  the 


ALONZp   AND    MELISSA.  125 

same  condition  as  when  he  was  there  the 
night  before ; — the  candle,  as  had  been  a- 
greed  upon,  was  at  the  window,  and  a 
nother  was  burning  on  the  table  : — it  was 
therefore  evident  that  she  could  not  have 
been  long  gone  when  he  arrived.  By  what 
means  she  had  thus  suddenly  disappeared, 
was  a  most  deep  and  inscrutable  mystery. 

When  the  sun  had  arisen,  he  once  more 
repeated  his  inquisitive  search,  but  with 
the  same  effect.  He  then,  in  extreme  vex- 
ation and  disappointment,  flung  himself  in- 
to the  sedan,  and  drove  from  the  mansion. 
Frequently  did  he  look  back  at  the  build- 
ing, anxiously  did  he  scrutinize  every  sur- 
rounding and  receding  object.  A  thrill  of 
pensive  recollection  vibrated  through  his 
frame  as  he  passed  the  gate,  and  the  keen 
agonizing  pangs  of  blasted  hope,  pierced  his 
heart,  as  his  carriage  rolled  over  the  bridge. 

Once  more  he  cast  a  "longing,  lingering 
look"  upon  the  premises  behind,  sacred  on- 
ly for  the  treasure  they  lately  possessed; 
then  sunk  backward  in  his  seat,  and  was 
dragged  slowly  away. 

Alonzo  had  understood  from  Melissa,  thai 
John's  hut  was  situated  about  one  mile 
north  from  the  mansion  where  she  had  been 
confined.  When  he  came  out  near  the 
road,  he  left  his  horse  and  carriage,  after 
securing  them,  and  went  in  search  of  it. — 
11* 


126  ALONZO    AND    MEJLISSA. 

He  soon  discovered  it,  and  knew  it  from 
the  description  given  thereof  by  Melissa. 
— He  went  up  and  knocked  at  the  door, 
which  was  opened  by  John,  whom  Alonzo 
also  knew,  from  the  portrait  Melissa*  had 
drawn  of  him. 

John  started  in  amazement.  * 'Under- 
standing, said  Alonzo,  that  you  have  the 
charge  of  the  old  mansion  in  yonder  field,  I 
have  come  to  know  if  you  can  inform  me 
what  has  become  of  the  young  lady  who  has 
been  confined  there." 

"Confined !  answered  John,  I  did  not 
know  she  was  confined." 

Recollecting  himself,  "I  mean  the  young 
lady  who  has  lately  resided  theie  with  her 
aunt,"  replied  Alonzo. 

"She  was  there  last  night,  answere:! 
John ;  her  aunt  is  gone  into  the  country 
and  has  not  returned." 

Alodzo  then  told  him  the  situation  of  the 
mansion,  and  that  she  was  not  there.  John 
informed  him  that  she  was  there  about  sun- 
set, and  according  to  her  request  he  had 
left  the  keys  of  the  gate  and  bridge  with 
her  :  he  desired  Alonzo  to  tarry  there  un- 
til he  ran  to  the  mansion. 

He  returned  in  about  half  an  hour.  "She 
is  gone,  sure  enough,  said  John ;  but  how, 
or  where,  it  is  impossible  for  me  co  guess." 
— Convinced  that  he  knew  nothing  of  the 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  127 

matter,  Alonzo  left  him  and  returned  to 
Vincent's. 

Vincent  and  his  lady  were  much  surpris- 
ed at  Alonzo's  account  of  Melissa's  sudden 
disappearance,  and  they  wished  to  ascer- 
tain whether  her  father's  family  knew  any 
thing  of  the  circumstance.  Social  inter- 
course had  become  suspended  between  the 
families  of  Vincent  and  Melissa's  father,  as 
the  latter  had  taxed  the  former  of  improp- 
erly endeavouring  to  promote  the  views  of 
Alonzo.  They  therefore  procured  a  neigh- 
bouring woman  to  visit  Melissa's  mother, 
to  see  if  any  information  could  be  obtained 
concerning  Melissa ;  but  the  old  lady  had 
heard  nothing  of  her  since  her  departure 
with  her  aunt,  who  had  never  yet  returned. 
— Alonzo  left  Vincent's  and  went  to  Mr. 
Simpson's.  He  told  them  all  that  had  hap- 
pened since  he  was  there,  of  which,  before, 
they  had  heard  nothing.  At  the  houses  of 
Mr.  Simpson  and  Vincent  he  resided  some 
time,  while  they  made  the  most  dilligent 
search  to  discover  Melissa;  but  nothing 
could  be  learned  of  her  fate. 

Alonzo  then  travelled  into  various  parts 
of  the  country,  making  such  enquiries  as 
caution  dictated  of  all  whom  he  thought 
likely  to  give  him  information; — but  he 
found  none  who  could  give  him  the  least 
iateiligeire  of  his  ost  Melissa. 


128  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

In  the  course  of  his  wanderings  he  pass- 
ed near  the  old  mansion  house  where  Me- 
lissa had  been  confined.  He  felt  an  incli- 
nation once  more  to  visit  it:  he  proceeded 
over  the  bridge,  which  was  down,  but  he 
found  the  gate  locked.  He  therefore  hur- 
ried back  and  went  to  John's,  whom  he 
found  at  home.  On  enquiring  of  John  whe- 
ther he  had  yet  heard  any  thing  of  the 
young  lady  and  her  aunt;  "All  I  know  of 
the  matter,  said  John,  is,  that  two  days  af- 
ter you  were  here,  her  aunt  came  back  with 
a  strange  gentleman,  and  ordered  me  to  go 
and  fetch  the  furniture  away  from  the  room 
they  had  occupied  in  the  old  mansion.  I 
asked  her  what  had  become  of  young  ma- 
dam. She  told  me  that  young  madam  had 
behaved  very  indiscreetly,  and  she  found 
fault  with  me  for  leaving  the  keys  in  her 
possession,  though  I  did  not  know  that  any 
harm  could  arise  from  it.  From  the  dis- 
course which  my  wife  and  I  afterwards 
overheard  between  madam  and  the  strange 
gentleman,  I  understood  that  young  madam 
had  been  sent  to  reside  with  some  friend  or 
relation  at  a  great  distance,  because  her 
father  wanted  her  to  marry  a  man,  and  she 
wishes  to  marry  somebody  else.."  From 
John's  plain  and  simple  narrative,  Alonzo 
concluded  that  Melissa  had  been  removed 
by  her  father's  order,  or  through  the  agen- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  129 

cy,  or  instigation  of  her  aunt.  Whether  his 
visit  to  the  old  mansion  had  been  somehow 
discovered  or  suspected,  or  whether  she  was 
removed  by  some  preconcerted  or  anteced- 
ent plan,  he  could  not  conjecture. — Still,  the 
situation  in  which  he  found  the  mansion  the 
night  he  went  to  convey  her  away,'  left  an 
inexplicable  impression  on  his  mind.  He 
could  in  no  manner  account  how  the  candle 
could  be  placed  at  the  window  according  to 
agreement,  unless  it  had  been  done  by  her- 
self; and  if  so,  how  had  she  so  suddenly 
been  conveyed  away  ? 

Alonzo  asked  John  where  Melissa's  aunt 
now  was. 

"She  left  here  yesterday  morning,  he  an- 
swered, with  the  strange  gentleman  I  men- 
tioned, on  a  visit  to  some  of  her  friends." 

"Was  the  strange  gentleman  you  speak 
of  her  brother  ?"  asked  Alonzo. 

"I  believe  not,  replied  John,  smiling  and 
winking  to  his  wife  ; — I  know  not  who  he 
was ;  somebody  that  madam  seems  to  like 
pretty  well." 

"Have  you  the  care  of  the  old  mansion  ?" 
said  Alonzo. 

"Yes,  answered  John,  I  have  the  keys ; 
I  will  accompany  you  thither,  perhaps  you 
would  like  to  purchase  it ;  madam  said  yes- 
terday she  thought  she  should  sell  it.*' 

Alonzo  told  him  he  had   no  thoghts    of 


130  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

purchasing,  thanked  him  (or  his  information, 
and  departed. 

Convinced  now  that  Melissa  was  remov- 
ed by  the  agency  of  her  persecutors,  he 
compared  the  circumstances  of  John's  re- 
lation. "She  had  been  sent  to  reside  with 
some  friend  or  relation  at  a  great  distance." 
This  great  distance,  he  believed  to  be  New 
London,  and  her  friend  or  relation,  her  cou- 
sin, at  whose  house  Alonzo  first  saw  her, 
under  whose  care  she  would  be  safe,  and 
Beauman  would  have  an  opportunity  of  re- 
newing his  addresses.  Under  these  impres- 
sions, Alonzo  did  not  long  hesitate  what 
course  to  pursue — he  determined  to  repair 
to  New  London  immediately. 

In  pursuance  of  his  design  he  went  to  his 
father's.  He  found  the  old  gentleman  with 
his  man  contentedly  tilling  his  farm,  and 
his  mother  cheerfully  attending  to  house- 
hold affairs,  as  ti\eir  narrow  circumstances 
would  not  admit  her  to  keep  a  maid  with- 
out embarrassment.  Alonzo's  soul  sicken- 
ed on  comparing  the  present  state  of  his 
family  with  its  former  affluence ;  but  it  was 
an  unspeakable  consolation  to  see  his  aged 
parents  contented  and  happy  in  their  hum- 
ble situation ;  and  though  the  idea  could 
not  pluck  the  thorn  from  his  own  bosom,  yet 
it  tended  temporarily  to  assuage  the  anguish 
of  the  wound. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  131 

"You  have  been  long  gone,  my  son,  said 
his  father;  I  scarcely  knew  what  had  be- 
come of  you.  Since  1  have  become  a  far- 
Rier  I  know  little  of  what  is  going  forward 
in  the  world  ;  a-nd  indeed  we  were  never 
happier  in  our  lives.  After  stocking  and 
paying  for  my  farm,  and  purchasing  the  re- 
quisites for  my  business,  1  have  got  consid- 
erable money  at  command :  we  live  frugal- 
ly, and  realize  the  blessings  of  health,  com- 
fort, and  contentment.  Our  only  disquie- 
tude is  on  your  account,  Alonzo.  Your  af- 
fair with  Melissa,  I  suppose,  is  not  so  fa- 
vourable as  you  could  wish.  But  despair 
not,  my  son  ;  hope  is  the  harbinger  of  fair- 
er  prospects :  rely  on  Providence,  which 
never  deserts  those  who  submissively  bow 
to  the  justice  of  its  dispensations." 

Unwilling  to  disturb  the  serenity  of  his 
parents,  Alonzo  did  not  tell  them  his  trou- 
bles. He  answered,  that  perhaps  all  might 
yet  come  right ;  but  that,  as  in  the  present 
sL~te  of  his  mind  he  thought  a  change  of 
situation  might  be  of  advantage,  he  asked 
liberty  of  his  father  to  travel  for  some  little 
time.  To  this  his  father  consented,  and 
offered  him  a  part  of  the  money  he  had  on 
hand,  which  Alonzo  refused,  saying  he  did 
not  expect  to  be  long  gone,  and  his  resour- 
ces had  not  failed  him. 

He  then  sold  off  his  books,  his  horses, 


132  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

his  carriages,  &c.  the  insignia  of  his  better 
days,  but  now  useless  appendages,  from 
which  be  raised  no  inconsiderable  sum. — 
He  then  took  a  tender  and  affectionate 
leave  of  his  parents,  and  set  out  for  New 
London. 

Alonzo  journeyed  along  with  a  heavy 
heart  and  in  an  enfeebled  frame  of  spirits. 
Through  disappointment,  vexation,  and  the 
fatigues  he  had  undergone  in  wandering  a- 
bout,  for  a  long  time,  in  search  of  Melissa, 
despondency  had  seized  upon  his  mind,  and 
indisposition  upon  his  body.  He  put  up 
the  first  night  within  a  few  miles  of  New 
Haven,  and  as  he  passed  through  that  town 
the  next  morning,  the  scenes  of  early  life 
in  which  he  had  there  been  an  actor,  mov- 
ed in  melancholy  succession  over  his  mind. 
That  day  he  grew  more  indisposed ;  he  ex- 
perienced an  unusual  languor,  listlessness 
and  debility;  chills,  followed  by  hot  Hashes, 
heary  pains  in  the  head  and  back,  with  in- 
cessant and  intolerable  thirst.  It  was  near 
night  when  he  reached  Killingsworih,  where 
he  halted,  as  he  felt  unable  to  go  farther: 
he  called  for  a  bed,  and  through  the  night 
was  racked  with  severe  pain,  and  scorched 
vviih  a  burning  fever. 

The  next  morning  he  requested  that  the 
physician  of  the  town  might  be  sent  for  ; — 
he  came  and  ordered  a  prescription  winch 


ALCNZO    AND    MELIS&A.  133 

g-ive  his  patient  some  relief;  and  by  strict 
attention,  in  about  ten  days  Alonzo  was 
able  to  pursue  his  journey.  He  arrived  at 
New  London,  and  took  lodgings  with  a  pri- 
vate family  of  the  name  of  Wyllis,  in  a  re- 
tired part  of  the  town. 

The  first  object  was  to  ascertain  whether 
Mjlissa  was  at  her  cousin's.  But  how 
should  he  obtain  this  information  ?  He 
knew  no  person  in  the  town  except  it  was 
those  whom  he  had  reason  to  suppose  were 
leagued  against  him.  Should  he  go  to  the 
hou«e  of  her  cousin,  it  might  prove  an  inju- 
ry to  her  if  she  were  there,  and  could  an- 
swer no  valuable  purpose  if  she  were  not. 
— The  evening  after  he  arrived  there  he 
wrapped  himseif  up  in  his  cloak  and  took 
the  street  which  led  to  the  house  of  Melis- 
sa's cousin  :  he  stopped  -when  he  came  a- 
gainst  it,  to  see  if  he  could  make  any  dis- 
coveries. As  people  were  passing  and  re- 
passing  the  street,  he  got  over  into  a  small 
enclosure  which  adjoined  the  house,  and 
stood  under  a  tree,  about  thirty  yards  from 
the  house  :  he  had  not  long  occupied  this 
station,,  before  a  lady  came  to  the  chamber 
window,  which  was  dung  up,  opposite  to 
the  place  where  he  stood ;  she  leaned  out, 
looked  earnestly  around  for  a  few  minutes, 
tfottn  shut  it  and  re-tired.  She  had  brought 
a  candle  into  the  room,  but  did  not  bria  i{ 


134  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

to  the  window;  of  course  he  could  not  dis- 
tinguish her  features  so  as  to  identify  them. 

He  knew  it  was  not  the  wife  of  Melissa's 
cousin,  and  from  her  appearance  he  belie- 
ved it  to  be  Melissa.  Again  the  window 
opened,  again  the  same  lady  appeared  ; — 
she  took  a  seat  at  a  little  distance  within 
the  room  ;  she  reclined  with  her  head  upon 
her  hand,  and  her  arm  appeared  to  be  sup- 
ported by  a  stand  or  table.  Alonzo's  heart 
beat  violently  ,  he  now  had  a  side  view  of 
her  face,  and  was  more  than  ever  convin- 
3ed  that  it  was  Melissa.  Her  delicate  fea- 
tures, though  more  pa!e  and  dejected  than 
when  last  he  saw  her ; — her  brown  hair, 
which  fell  in  artless  circles  around  her  lily 
aeck  ;  her  arched  eye-brows  and  command- 
ing aspect.  Alonzo  moved  towards  thp 
house,  with  a  design,  if  possible,  to  draw 
her  attention,  and  should  it  really  prove  to 
be  Melissa,  to  discover  himself.  He  hud 
proceeded  but  a  few  steps  before  she  arose, 
shut  the  window,  retired,  and  the  light  dis- 
appeared. Alonzo  waited  a  considerable 
time,  but  she  appeared  no  more.  Suppo- 
sing she  had  retired  for  the  night,  he  slow- 
ly withdrew,  chagrined  at  this  disappoint- 
ment, yet  pleased  at  the  discovery  he  had 
made. 

The  famiJy  with  whom  Alonzo  had  ta- 
ken lodgings  were  fashionable  and  respeeta- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  136 

ble.  The  following  afternoon  they  had  ap- 
pointed to  visit  a  friend,  and  they  invited 
Alonzo  to  accompany  them.  When  they 
lamed  the  family  where  their  visit  was  in- 
tended, he  found  it  to  be  Melissa's  cousin. 
Alonzo  therefore  declined  going  under  pre- 
tence of  business.  He  however  waited 
with  anxiety  for  their  return,  hoping  he 
should  be  able  to  learn  by  their  conversa- 
tion, whether  Melissa  was  there  or  not. — 
When  they  returned  he  made  some  enqui- 
ries concerning  the  families  in  town,  until 
the  conversation  turned  upon  the  family 
they  had  visited.  "  The  young  lady  who 
resides  there,  said  Mrs.  Wyllis,  is  undoubt- 
edly in  a  confirmed  decline ;  she  will  never 
recover." 

Alonzo  started,  deeply  agitated.  "  Who 
is  the  young  lady  ?"  he  asked.  "  She  is 
sister  to  the  gentleman's  wife  where  we  vis- 
ited, answered  Mr.  Wyllis ; — her  father 
lives  in  Newport,  and  she  has  come  here 
for  her  health."  "  Do  you  not  think,  said 
Mrs.  Wyllis,  that  she  resembles  their  cou- 
sin Melissa,  who  resided  there  some  time 
ago  ?"  u  Very  much  indeed,  replied  her 
husband,  only  she  is  not  quite  so  handsome." 

Again  was  Alonzo  disappointed,  and  again 
did  lie  experience  a  melancholy  pleasure  : 
'^e  had  the  last  night  hoped  that  he  had 
Discovered  Melissa,  but  to  find  her  in  a 


136  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

hopeless  decline,  was  worse  than  that  she 
should  remain  undiscovered. 

"  It  is  reported,  said  Mrs.  Wyllis,  that 
Melissa  has  been  upon  the  verge  of  matri- 
mony, but  that  the  treaty  was  somehow 
broken  olf;  perhaps  Beauman  will  renew 
his  addresses  again,  should  this  be  the  case.'1 
"  .Beauman  has  other  business  besides  ad- 
dressing the  ladies,  answered  Mr.  Wyllis. 
He  has  marched  to  the  lines  near  New- 
York  with  his  new  raised  company  of  vol- 
unteers."* 

From  this  discourse,  Alonzo  was  convinc- 
ed that  Melissa  was  not  the  person  he  had 
seen  at  her  cousin's  the  preceding  evening, 
and  that  she  was  not  there.  He  also  found 
that  Beauman  was  not  in  town.  Where  to 
search  next,  or  what  course  to  pursue,  he 
was  at  a  loss  to  determine. 

The  next  morning  he  rose  early  and  wan 
dered  about  the  town.  As  he  passed  by 
the  house  of  Melissa's  cousin,  he  saw  the 
lady,  who  had  appeared  at  the  window, 
walking  in  the  garden.  Her  air,  her  figure, 
had  very  much  the  appearance  of  Melissa ; 
but  the  lineaments  of  her  countenance  were, 
when  viewed  by  the  light  of  day,  widely 
dissimilar.  Alonzo  felt  no  strong  curiosity 
farther  to  examine  her  features,  but  passing 
on,  returned  to  his  lodgings. 

•\V.K- York  v.as  iheu  in  i/us*.-*uuu  of  die  iirm^t  troops. 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  137 

Flow  he  was  now  to  proceed,  Alonzo 
could  not  readily  decide.  To  return  to  his 
native  place,  appeared  to  be  as  useless  as 
to  tariy  where  he  was.  For  many  weeks 
htid  he  travelled  and  searched  every  place 
where  he  thought  it  probable  Melissa  might 
be  found,  both  among  her  relatives  and 
elsewhere.  He  had  made  every  effort  to 
obtain  some  clue  to  her  removal  from  the 
old  mansion,  but  he  could  learn  nothing  but 
what  he  had  been  told  by  John.  If  his 
friends  should  ever  hear  of  her,  they  could 
not  inform  him  ^hereof,  as  no  one  knew 
where  he  was.  Would  it  not,  therefore,  be 
best  for  him  to  return  back,  and  ccmsult 
with  his  friends,  and  if  nothing  had  been 
heard  of  hei,  pursue  some  other  mode  of 
enquiry  ?  He  might,  at  least,  leave  direc- 
tions where  his  friends  might  write  to  him, 
in  case  tney  should  have  any  thing  whereof 
to  apprise  him. 

An  incident  tended  to  confirm  this  ^eso- 
lution.  He  one  night  dreamed  that  he  was 
'sitting  in  a  strange  house,  contemplating  on 
his  present  situation,  when  Melissa  sudden- 
ly entered  the  room.  Her  appearance  was 
more  pale,  sickly  and  dejected,  than  when 
he  last  saw  her.  Her  elegant  form  had 
wasted  away,  her  eyes  were  sunk,  her 
cheeks  fallen,  her  lips  livid.  He  fancied  it 
to  be  night,  she  held  a  candle  in  her  hand. 


138  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

smiling  languidly  upon  him  ; — she  turned 
and  went  out  of  the  room,  beckoning  him 
to  follow  :  he  thought  he  immediately  arose 
and  followed  her.  She  glided  through  sev- 
eral winding  rooms,  and  at  length  he  lost 
sight  of  her,  and  the  light  gradually  fading 
away,  he  wTas  involved  in  deep  darkness. — 
He  groped  along,  and  at  length  saw  a  faint 
distant  glimmer,  the  course  of  which  he 
pursued,  until  he  came  into  a  large  room, 
hung  with  black  tapestry,  and  illuminated 
by  a  number  of  bright  tapers.  On  one  side 
of  the  room  appeared  a  hearse,  on  which 
some  person  was  laid  :  he  went  up  to  it — 
the  first  object  that  arrested  his  attention 
was  the  lovely  form  of  Melissa,  shrouded  in 
the  sable  vestments  of  death  !  Cold  and 
lifeless,  she  lay  stretched  upon  the  hearse, 
beautiful  even  in  dissolution;  the  dying; 
smile  of  complacency  had  not  yet  deserted 
her  cheek.  The  music  of  her  voice  had 
ceased ;  her  fine  eyes  had  closed  for  ever. 
Insensible  to  objects  in  which  she  once  de- 
lighted ;  to  afflictions  which  had  blasted 
her  blooming  prospects,  anl  drained  the 
streams  of  life,  she  lay  like  blossomed  tress 
of  spring,  overthrown  by  rude  and  boister- 
ous winds.  The  deep  groans  which  con- 
vulsed the  distracted  bosom,  and  shocked 
the  trembling  frame  of  Alonzo,  broke  the 
delusive  charm  :  he  awoke,  rejoiced  to  find 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  139 

it  but  a  dream,  though  it  impressed  his  mind 
with  doleful  and  portentous  forebodings. 

It  was  a  long  time  before  he  could  agaia 
close  his  eye?  to  sleep ;  he  at  length  fell 
into  a  slumber,  and  again  he  dreamed.  H€ 
fancied  himself  with  Melissa,  at  the  house 
of  her  father,  who  had  consented  to  their 
union,  and  that  the  marriage  ceremony  be- 
tween them  was  there  performed.  H€ 
thought  that  Melissa  appeared  as  she  had 
done  in  her  most  fortunate  and  sprightly 
days,  before  the  darts  of  adversity,  and  the 
thorns  of  affliction,  had  wounded  her  heart 
Her  father  seemed  to  be  divested  of  all  his 
awful  sternness,  and  gave  her  to  Alonzo 
with  cheerful  freedom.  He  awoke,  and  the 
horrors  of  his  former  dream  were  dissipated 
by  the  happy  influences  of  the  last. 

"Who  knows,  he  said,  but  that  this  may 
finally  be  the  case ,  but  that  Lhe  sun  of 
peace  may  yet  dispel  the  glooms  of  these 
distressful  hours  !"  He  arose,  determined 
to  return  home  in  a  few  days.  He  went 
out  and  enjoyed  his  morning  walk  in  a  more 
composed  frame  of  spirits  than  he  had  for 
some  time  experienced.  He  returned,  and 
as  he  was  entering  tae  door  he  saw  the 
weekly  newspaper  of  the  town,  which  had 
been  published  that  morning,  and  which  the 

carrier  had  just  flung  into  the  hall. The 

family  had  not  yet  arisea.  lie  took  up  the 


HO  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA 

paper,  carried  it  to  his  chamber,  and  cpen- 
ed  it  to  read  the  news  of  the  day.  He  ran 
his  eye  hastily  over  it,  and  was  about  to  lay 
it  aside,  wheu  the  death  list  arrested  his  at- 
tention, by  a  display  of  broad  black  lines. 
'jTbe  first  article  he  read  therein  was  as 
follows  : 

"Died,  of  a  consumption,  on  the  26th 
ult.  at  the  seat  of  her  uncle.  Col.  W.  D— , 
near  Charleston,  Sovth  Carolina,  whither 
she  had  repaired  for  her  health,  Miss  Me- 
lissa D ,  the  amiable  daughter  of  J 

D ,  Esq.  of  *******,  Connecticut,  in  the 

eighteenth  year  of  her  a^e." 

The  paper  fell  from  the  palsied  hand — a 
sudden  faintness  came  upon  him — the  room 
grew  dark — he  staggered,  and  fell  senseless 
upon  the  floor. 

The  incidents  of  our  story  will  here  pr<»- 

duceapause. The  fanciful  part  of  our 

readers  may  cast  it  aside  in  chagrin  and  dis- 
appointment "  Such  an  event,"  may  they 
say,  "we  were  net  prepared  to  expect. — 
After  so  many,  and  such  various  trials  of 
heart;  after  innumerable  dii^culties  sur- 
mounted ;  almost  invincible  objects  over- 
come, and  insuperable  barriers  removed — • 
after  attending  the  hero  and  heroine  of  youi 
tale  through  the  diversified  scenes  of  anxie- 
ty, suspense,  hope,  disappointment,  exp,°e- 
*%iition,  joy,  sorrow,  anticipated  bliss,  ^ud- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  141 

den  ar?d  disastrous  woe after  elevating 

them  to  the  threshold  of  happiness,  by  the 
premature  death  of  one,  to  plunge  the  other, 
instantaneously,  in  deep  and  irretrievable 
despair,  must  not,  cannot  be  right. — Your 
story  will  hereafter  become  languid  and 
spiritless;  the  subject  will  be  uninteresting, 
the  theme  unengaging,  since  the  genius 
which  animated  and  enlivened  it  is  gone  for 
ever." 

Reader  of  sensibility,  stop.  Are  we  riot 
detailing  facts  ?  Shall  we  gloss  them  over 
tvith  fake  colouring  ?  Shall  we  describe 
things  as  they  are,  or  as  "they  are  not  ? 
Shall  we  draw  with  the  pencil  of  nature,  oi 
of  art  ?  Do  we  indeed  paint  life  as  it  is,  or 
ss  it  is  not  ?  Cast  thine  eyes,  reader,  over 
the  ephemeral  circle  of  passing  and  fortui- 
tous events;  view  the  change  of  contingen- 
cies ;  mark  well  the  varied  and  shifting  sce- 
nery in  the  great  drama  of  time  ; — seriously 
contemplate  nature  in  her  operations  ;  mi- 
nutely examine  the  entrance,  the  action, 
and  the  exit  of  characters  on  the  stage  of 
existence — then  say,  if  disappointment,  dis- 
tress, misery  and  calamitous  woe,  are  not 
the  inalienable  portion  of  the  susceptible 
bosom.  Say,  if  the  possession  of  refined 

feeling  is  enviable the   lot  of  Nature's 

children  covetable — whether  to  such,  through 
life,  the  sprinklings  of  comfort  are  sufficient 


142  ALO>TZO    AND    MELISSA. 

to  give  a  zest  to  the  bitter  banquets  of  ad- 
versity— whether,  indeed,  sorrow,  sighing, 
and  tears,  are  not  the  inseparable  attend- 
ants of  all  those  whose  hearts  are  the  re- 
positories of  tender  affections  and  pathetic 
sympathies. 

But  what  says  the  moralist  ? — "  Portray 
life  as  it  is.  Delude  not  the  senses  by  de- 
ceptive appearances.  Arouse  your  hero  ? 
call  to  his  aid  stern  philosophy  and  sober 
reason.  They  will  dissipate  the  rainbow- 
glories  of  unreal  pleasure,  and  banish  the 
glittering  meteors  of  unsubstantial  happi- 
ness. Or  if  these  fail,  lead  him  to  the  holy 
fane  of  religion  :  she  will  regulate  the  tires 
of  fa-icy,  and  assuage  the  tempest  of  the 
passions :  she  will  illuminate  the  dark  wil- 
derness, and  smooth  the  thorny  paths  of  life : 
she  will  point  him  to  joys  beyond  the  tomb 
— to  another  and  a  better  world  ;  and  pour 
the  balm  of  consolation  and  serenity  over 
his  wounded  soul." 

Shall  we  indeed  arouse  Alonzo?  Alas!  to 
what  paths  of  grief  and  wretchedness  shall 
we  arouse  him  !  To  a  world  to  him  void 
and  cheerless — a  world  desolate,  sad  and 
dreary. 

Alonzo  revived.  u  Why  am  I,  he  exclaim- 
ed, recalled  to  this  dungeon  of  torment  ? 
Why  was  not  my  spirit  permitted  to  take 
its  flight  to  regions  w  here  my  guardian  is 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA.  143 

gone  1  Why  am  I  cursed  with  memory  ?  O 
that  I  might  be  blessed  with  forgetfulness ! 
But  why  do  I  talk  of  blessings  ? — Heaven 
never  had  one  in  store  for  me.  Where  are 
fled  my  anticipated  joys  ?  To  the  bosom 
the  dark  bosom  of  the  oblivious  tomb  !  Thert 
lie  all  the  graces  worthy  of  love  in  life — all 
the  virtues  worthy  of  lamentation  in  death  ! 
There  lies  perfection ;  perfection  has  here 
been  found.  Was  she  not  all  that  even 
heaven  could  demand  ? — Fair,  lovely,  holy 
and  virtuous.  Her  tender  solicitudes,  hei 
enrapturing  endearments,  her  soul-inspiring 
blandishments, — gone,  gone  for  ever  1  That 
heavenly  form,  that  discriminate  mind — all 
lovely  as  light,  all  pure  as  a  seraph's — a 
prey  to  worms — mingled  with  incorporeal 
shadows,  regardless  of  former  inquietudes 
or  delights,  regardless  of  the  keen  anguish 
which  no\v  wrings  tears  of  blood  from  my 
despairing  heart ! 

"  Eternal  Disposer  of  events  !  if  virtue 
be  thy  special  care,  why  is  the  fairest  flow- 
f.r  in  the  garden  of  innocence  and  purity 
blasted  like  a  noxious  weed  ?  Why  is  the 
bright  gem  of  excellence  trampled  in  the 
dust  like  a  worthless  pebble  ? — Why  is  Me 
lissa  hurried  to  the  tomb  ?" 

Thus  raved  Alonzo.  It  was  evident  thcu 
delirium  had  partially  seized  his  brain.  He 
arose  and  flung  himself  on  the  bed  in  un- 


144  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

speakable  agony.  "And  what,  Alas  !  he 
agaifj  exclaimed,  now  remains  for  me  ?  Ex- 
istence and  unparalleled  misery.  The  con- 
solation even  of  death  is  denied  me.  But 
Melissa  !  she — ah,  where  is  she  !  Ob,  re- 
flection insupportable !  insufferable  consid- 
eration !  Must  that  heavenly  frame  putrify, 
moulder,  and  crumble  into  dust  ?  Must  the 
loa*hsome  spider  nestle  on  her  lily  bosom  ? 
the  cdious  reptile  riot  on  her  delicate  limbs  J 
the  worm  revel  amid  the  roses  of  her  cheek, 
fatten  on  ner  temples,  and  bask  in  the  lus- 
tre of  her  eyes  ?  Alas  !  the  lustre  has  be- 
coma  dimmed  in  death  :  the  rose  and  the 
lily  are  withered;  the  harmony  of  her  voice 
has  ceased;  the  graces,  the  elegancies  of 
form,  the  innumeiabie  delicacies  of  air.  all 
are  gone,  and  I  am  left  in  a  state  of  misery 
which  defies  mitigation  or  comparison." 

.hausted  by  excvss  of  grief,  he  now  lay 
in  a  stupify:ng  anguish,  until  the  servant 
summoned  him  to  breakfast.  He  told  the 
aberrant  he  was  indisposed  ai.d  requested  lie 
might  not  be  disturbed.  jYir.  Wyliis  and 
his  lady  can*e  up,  anxious  to  yield  him  any 
assistance  in  their  power,  and  advised  him 
ia  call  a  physician.  He  thanked  them,  but 
toIJ  them  it  was  unnecessary;  he  only  want- 
ed rest.  His  extreme  distress  of  mind 
brought  on  a  relapse  of  fever,  from  which 
he  had  but  imperfectly  recovered.  For  seve- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  145 

ral  days  he  lay  in  a  very  dangerous  and 
doubtful  state.  A  physician  was  called^ con- 
trary to  Ins  choice  or  knowledge,  as  for  most 
part  of  the  time  his  mind  was  delirious  and 
sensation  imperfect.  This  was,  probably 
the  cause  of  baffling  the  disorder.  He  was 
in  a  measure  insensible  to  h;s  woes.  He  did 
not  oppose  the  prescriptions  of  the  physi- 
cian. The  fever  abated ;  nature  triumphed 
over  disease  of  body,  and  he  slowly  recov- 
ed,  bat  the  malady  of  his  mind  was  not 
removed. 

He  contemplated  on  the  past.  "  I  fear, 
said  he,  I  have  murmured  against  the  wis- 
dom of  Providence.  Forgive,  0  merciful 
Creator !  Forgive  the  frenzies  of  distrac- 
tion !"  He  now  recollected  that  Melissa 
once  told  him  that  she  had  an  uncle  who 
resided  near  Charleston  in  South  Carolina; 
thither  he  supposed  she  had  been  sent  by 
her  father,  when  she  was  removed  from  the 
'  old  mansion,  in  order  to  prevent  his  having 
access  to  her,  and  with  a  view  to  compel 
her  to  marry  Beauman.  Her  appearance 
had  indicated  a  deep  decline  when  he  last 
saw  her.  "  There,  said  he,  far  removed 
fro-m  iriends  and  acquaintance,  there  did  she 
languish,  there  did  she  die — a  victim  to  ex- 
cessive grief,  and  cruel  parental  persecu- 
tion." 

As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  leave  his  room, 
13  I 


146  ALONZO   AND   MELISSA. 

he  walked  out  one  evening,  and  in  deep 
contemplation  roved,  he  knew  not  where. 
The  moon  shone  brilliantly  from  her  lofty 
throne  ;  the  chill,  heavy  dews  of  autumn 
glittered  on  the  decaying  verdure.  The 
[adeai*  croaked  hoarsely  among  the  trees ; 
the  t/irr/ef  sung  mournfully  on  the  grass. — 
Alonzo  heard  them  not;  be  was  insensible 
to  all  external  objects,  until  he  had  imper- 
ceptibly wandered  to  the  rock  oii  the  point 
of  the  beach,  verging  the  Sound,  to  which 
he  had  attended  Melissa  the  first  time  he 
sa\v  her  at  her  cousin 's.J  Had  the  whole 
artillery  of  Heaven  burst,  in  sheeted  flame, 
from  the  skies — had  raging  winds  mingled 
the  roaring  vraves  with  the  mountains — 
had  an  instantaneous  earthquake  burst  be- 
neath his  feet,  his  frame  would  not  have 
been  so  shocked,  his  soul  so  agitated  ! — 
Sudden  as  the  blaze  darts  from  the  electric 
cloud  was  he  aroused  to  a  lively  sense  of 
blessings  entombed !  The  memory  of  de- 
parted joys  posset!  with  rapidity  over  his 
imagination  ;  his  first  meeting  with  Melis- 
aj  the  evening  he  had  attended  her  to 

*t  L  cal  naiu«3  ^iven  to  certain  American  insects,  from  their 
seund.  They  are  well  known  in  various  parts  of  the  United 
S'iUe*  ;  generally  make  their  appearance  about  the  lal*  i  end 
n<  August,  and  contir.ae  until  destroyed  by  the  fros'.  T!>e 
nott-s  of  the  first  are  hoarse,  sprightly,  a-'d  discordant  ;  ..  thfl 
last,  *Mernn  aid  mournfully  pleading. 

I  Sec  pn^e  8.  See  also  ail-isiona  t -j  this  aceiw  in  <jercral  tub- 
•oquei.t  parts  »f  thu  story. 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  147 

that  place ;  her  frequent  allusions  to  the 
scenery  there  displayed,  when  they  had 
traversed  the  fields,  or  reclined  in  the  bow- 
er on  her  favourite  hill ; .  in  line,  all  the  vi- 
cissitudes through  which  they  had  passed, 
were  called  to  his  mind.  His  fancy  saw 
her — felt  her  gently  leaning  on  his  arm, 
while  he  tremblingly  pressed  her  hand. — 
Again  he  saw  smiling  health  crimsoning  the 
lilies  of  her  cheek;  again  he  saw  the  bright 
soul  of  s)mpathetic  feelings  sparkling  in 
her  eye ;  the  air  of  ease  ;  the  graces  of  atti- 
tude ;  her  brown  locks  circling  the  bor- 
ders of  her  snowy  robe.  Again  he  was  en- 
raptured by  the  melody  of  her  voice. — 
Once  more  would  he  have  been  happy,  had 
not  fancy  changed  the  scene.  But,  alas  ! 
she  shifted  the  curtain.  He  saw  Melissa 
stretched  on  the  sable  hearse,  wrapped  in 
the  dreary  vestments  of  the  grave ;  the  ro- 
ses withered  ;  the  lilies  faded  ;  motionless  ; 
the  graces  fled;  her  eyes  fixed,  and  sealed 
in  the  glaze  of  death!  Spontaneously  Jie 
fell  upon  his  knees,  and  thus  poured  forth 
the  overcharged  burden  of  his  anguished 
bosom. 

"Infinite  Ruler  of  all  events !  Great  Sov- 
ereign_  of  this  ever  changing  world  !  Omnip- 
otent Controler  of  vicissitudes  !  Omnisci- 
ent dipenser  of  destinies  !  The  beginning, 
the  progression,  the  end  is  thine.  Ua- 


143  ALONZO    AND   MELISSA. 

searchable  ate  thy  purposes !  mysterious 
thy  movements  !  inscrutable  thy  operations ! 
An  atom  of  thy  creation,  wildered  in  the 
mazes  of  ignorance  and  woe,  would  bow  to 
thy  decrees.  Surrounded  with  impenetra- 
ble gloom,  unable  to  scrutinize  the  past,  in- 
competent to  explore  the  future fain 

would  he  say,  THY  WILL  BE  DONE  !  And 
Oh,  that  it  might  be  consistent  with  that 
HIGH  WILL  to  call  this  atom  from  a  dun- 
geon of  wretchedness,  to  worlds  of  light  and 
glory,  where  his  only  CONSOLATION  is  gone." 
Thus  prayed  the  heart-broken  Aionzo. 
It  was  indeed  a  worldly  prayer ;  but  per- 
haps as  pure  and  as  acceptable  as  many  of 
our  modern  professors  would  have  made  on 
a  similar  occasion.  He  arose  and  repaired 
to  his  lodgings.  One  determination  only 
he  had  now  fallen  upon — to  bury  himself 
and  his  griefs  from  all  with  whom  he  had 
formerly  been  acquainted.  Why  should  he 
return  to  the  scenes  of  his  former  bliss  and 
anxiety,  where  every  countenance  would 
tend  to  renew  his  mourning;  where  every 
door  would  be  inscribed  with  a  memento 
morij  and  where  every  object  would  he 
shrouded  in  crape  ?  He  therefore  turned 
his  attention  to  the  army;  but  the  army 
was  far  distant,  and  he  was  too  feeble  to 
prosecute  a  journey  of  such  an  extent 
There  were  at  that  time  preparations 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  149 

for  fitting  out  a  convoy,  at  private  expense, 
from  various  parts  of  the  United  States,  for 
the  protection  of  our  European  trade ;  they 
were  to  rendezvous  at  a  certain  station, 
aad  thence  proceed  with  the  merchantmen 
under  their  care  to  the  ports  ot  France  and 
Holland,  where  our  trade  principally  cen- 
tered, and  return  as  convoy  to  some  other 
mercantile  fleet. 

One  of  these  ships  of  war  was  then  near- 
ly fitted  out  at  New-London.  Alonzo  of- 
fered himself  to  ths  captain,  who,  pleased 
with  nis  appearance,  gave  him  the  station 
of  commander  of  marines. 

Alonzo  prepared  himself  with  all  speed 
for  the  voyage.  He  nought,  he  wished  no 
acquaintance.  His  only  place  of  resort, 
except  to  his  lodgings  and  the  ship,  was  to 
Melissa's  favourite  rock  :  there  he  bowed 
as  to  the  shrine  of  her  spirit,  and  there  he 
consecrated  his  de\  otions. 

As  he  was  one  day  passing  through  the 
town,  a  gentleman  stepped  out  of  an  adjoin- 
ing house  and  accosted  him.  Alonzo  im- 
mediately recognized  him  to  be  the  cousin 
of  Melissa,  at  whose  house  he  had  first  seen 
her.  He  was  dressed  in  full  mourning, 
which  was  a  sufficient  indication  that  he 
vas  \pprised  of  hei  death.  He  invited  A- 
lonzo  to  his  house,  and  he  could  not  com- 
plaisantly  refuse  the  invitation.  He  there- 
13* 


150  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

fore  accepted  it,  and  passed  an  hour  with 
him,  from  whom  he  learnt  that  Melissa  had 
been  sent  to  her  uncle's  at  Charleston,  for 
the  recovery  of  her  health,  where  she  died. 
"  Her  premature  death,  said  her  cousin,  has 
borne  so  heavily  upon  her  aged  father,  that 

it  is  feared  he  will  not  long  survive." 

"  Well  may  it  wring  his  bosom,  thought  A- 

lonzo ; his  conscience    can  never   be  at 

peace."  Whether  Melissa's  cousin  had  been 
informed  of  the  particulars  of  Alonzo's  un- 
fortunate attachment,  was  not  known,  as  he 
instituted  no  conversation  on  the  surrject. 
Oeither  did  he  enquire  into  Alonzo's  pros- 
pects ;  he  only  invited  him  to  call  again. 
Alonzo  thanked  him,  but  replied  it  would 
be  doubtful,  as  h**  should  shortly  leave  town. 
He  made  no  one  acquainted  with  his  inten- 
tions. 

The  day  at  length  arrived  when  the  ship 
was  to  sail,  and  Alonzo  lo  leave  the  shores 
of  America.  They  spread  their  canvass  to 
propitious  gales ;  the  breezes  rushed  from 
their  woody  coverts,  and  majestically  waft- 
ed them  from  the  harbour. 

Slowly  the  lan/1  receded  ;  fields,  forests, 
hills,  mountains,  towns  and  villages  leisure- 
ly withdrew,  until  they  were  mingled  in  one 
common  mass.  The  ocean  opening,  er- 
panded  and  widened,  presenting  to  the  as- 
tonished eyes  of  the  untried  mariner  ita 


ALONZO    AND   MELISSA.  151 

wilderness  of  waters.  Near  sunset,  Alonzo 
ascended  the  mast  to  take  a  last  view  of  a 
country  once  so  dear,  but  whose  charms 
were  now  lost  forever.  The  land  still  ap- 
peared like  a  simicircular  border  of  dark 
green  velvet  on  the  edge  of  a  convex  mir- 
ror. The  sun  sunk  in  fleecy  golden  vapours 
behind  it.  It  now  dwindled<to  discoloured 
and  irregular  spots,  w4iich  appeared  like  ob- 
jects floating,  amidst  the  blue  mists  of  dis- 
tance, on  the  verge  of  the  main,  and  im- 
mediately all  was  lost  beneath  the  spherical, 
watery  surface. 

^  '^70  had  fixed  his  eyes,  as  near  as  his 
judgment  could  direct,  towards  Melissa's  fa- 
vourite rock,  till  nothing  but  sea  was  dis- 
coverable. With  a  heart-parting  sigh  he 
then  descended.  They  had  now  launched 
into  the  illimitable  world  of  billows,  and  the 
sable  wings  of  night  brooded  over  the  bound- 
less deep. 

A  new  scene  was  now  opened  to  Alonzo 
in  the  wonders  of  the  mighty  deep.  The 
sun  rising  from  and  setting  in  the  ocean;  the 
wide-spread  region  of  watery  waste,  now 
snooth  as  polished  glass,  now  urged  into  ir- 
regular rolling  hillocks,  then  swelled  to 

Blue  trembling  billows,  topp'd  with  foam," 

or  gradually  arising  into  mountainous  waves. 
CKten  would  he  traverse  the  deck  amid  the 
still  hours  ot  midnight,  when  the  moon  sil- 


152  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

vered  over  the  liquid  surface :  "  Bright  iu- 
minary  of  the  lonely  hour,  he  would  «ay, 
that  now  sheddest  thy  mild  and  placid  ray 
on  the  woe-worm  head  of  fortune's  fugitive, 
dost  thou  not  also  pensively  shine  on  the 
sacred  and  silent  grave  of  my  Melissa  ? 

Favourable  breezes  wafted  them  for  ma- 
ny days  over  the  bosom  of  the  Atlantic. — 
At  length  they  were  overtaken  by  a  violent 
storm.  The  wind  began  to  blow  strongly 
from  the  southwest,  which  soon  increased 
to  a  violent  gale.  The  dirgy  scud  first  flew 
swiftly  along  the  sky  ;  then  dark  and  heavy 
clouds  filled  the  atmosphere,  mingling  with 
the  top-gallant  streamers  of  the  ship.  Night 
hovered  over  the  ocean,  rendered  horrible 
by  the  intermitting  blaze  of  lightnings,  the 
awful  crash  of  thunder,  and  the  deafening 
roar  of  winds  and  waves.  The  sea  was  rolled 
into  mountains,  capped  with  foaming  fije. 
Now  the  ship  was  soaring  among  the  tliu.i- 
ders  of  heaveii,  now  sunk  in  the  abycs  of 
waters. 

The  storm  dispersed  the  fleet,  so  tn?t 
when  it  abated,  the  ship  in  which  Alonzo 
sailed  was  found  alone  ;  they,  however,  kept 
on  their  course  of  destination,  after  repair- 
ing their  rigging,  which  had  been  consider- 
ably disordered  by  the  violence  of  the  gale. 

The  next  morning  they  discovered  a  sail 
which  they  fondly  hoped  might  prove  to  be 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  153 

one  of  their  own  fleet,  and  accordingly  made 
for  it.  The  ship  they  were  in  pursuit  of 
shortened  sail,  and  towards  noon  wore  round 
and  bore  down  upon  them,  when  they  dis- 
covered that  it  was  not  a  ship  belonging  to 
their  convoy.  It  appeared  to  be  of  equal 
force  and  dimensions  with  that  of  their  own; 
they  therefore,  in  order  to  prepare  for  the 
worst,  got  ready  with  all  speed  for  action. 
They  slowly  approached  each  other,  ma- 
noeuvering  for  the  advantage,  till  the  strange 
ship  ran  up  British  colours,  and  fired  a  gun, 
which  was  immediately  answered  by  the 
other,  under  the  flag  of  the  United  States. 
It  was  not  long  before  a  close  and  severe 
action  took  place,  which  continued  for  three 
hours,  when  both  ships  were  in  so  shattered 
a  condition  that  they  were  unable  to  man- 
age a  gun.*  The  British  had  lost  their  cap- 
tain, and  one  half  their  crew,  most  of  the 
remainder  being  wounded. The  Ameri- 
cans had  lost  their  second  officer,  and  their 
loss  in  men,  both  kill-ed  and  wounded,  was 
nearly  equal  to  that  of  the  enemy. 

While  they  lay  in  this  condition,  unable 
either  to  annoy  each  other  more,  or  to  get 
away,  a  large  sail  appeared,  bearing  do\\n 
upon  them,  which  soon  came  up  and  proved 
to  be  an  English  frigate,  and  which  imaie- 

'The  particular*  of  this  action,  in  the  ea  Jy  stage  of  the  A- 
•rican  war,  are  yet  remembered  by  man; 


154  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

diately  took  the  American  ship  in  tow,  af- 
ter removing  the  crew  into  the  hold  of  the 
frigate.  The  crew  of  the  British  ship  were 
also  taken  on  board  of  the  frigate,  which 
was  no  sooner  don-e  than  the  ship  wrent  down 
and  was  for  ever  buried  beneath  mountai'ns 
of  ponderous  waves.  The  frigate  then,  with 
the  American  ship  in  tow,  made  sail,  and  in 
p  few  days  reached  England.  The  wound- 
ed prijoners  were  sent  to  a  hospital,  but  the 
others  were  confined  in  a  strong  prison  with- 
in the  precincts  of  London. 

The  American  prisoners  were  huddled  in- 
to an  apartment  with  British  convicts  of  va- 
rious descriptions.  Among  these  Aionzo 
observed  one  whose  demeanor  arrested  his 
attention.  A  deep  melancholy  was  impress- 
ed upon  his  features  ;  his  eye  was  wild  and 
despairing ;  his  figure  was  interesting,  tall, 
elegant  and  handsome.  He  appeared  to  be 
about  twenty-five  years  of  age.  He  seldom 
conversed,  but  when  he  did,  it  was  readily 
discovered  that  his  education  had  been  above 
the  common  cast,  and  he  possessed  an  en- 
lightened and  discriminating  mind.  Aionzo 
sympathetically  sought  his  acquaintance, 
and  J.i<-Aovered  therein  a  unison  of  woe. 

One  evening,  when  the  prisoners  were  re- 
tired to  rest,  the  stranger,  upon  Alonzo's 
request,  rehearsed  the  fallowing  incidents 
of  his  life. 


AIONZO   AND   MELISSA.  155 

"  You  express,  said  he,  some  surprise  at 
finding  a  man  of  my  appearance  in  so  de- 
graded a  situation  ;  and  you  wish  to  learn 
the  events  which  have  plunged  me  in  this. 
abject  state.  These,  when  I  briefly  relate, 
your  wonder  will  cease. 

"  My  name  is  Henry  Malcomb  ;  my  fath- 
er was  a  clergyman  in  the  west  of  England, 
and  descended  from  one  of  the  most  respec- 
able  families  in  those  parts.  I  received  a 
classical  education,  and  then  entered  the 
military  school,  as  I  Was  designed  for  the 
army,  to  which  my  earliest  inclinations  led. 
As  soon  as  my  education  was  considered 
complete,  an  ensign's  commission  was  pro- 
cured for  me  in  one  of  the  regiments  destin- 
ed for  the  West  Indies.  Previous  to  its 
departure  for  those  islands,  I  became  ac- 
uainted with  a  Miss  Vernon,  who  was  a 
ew  years  younger  than  nr  self,  and  the 
daughter  of  a  gentleman  farmer,  who  had 
recently  purchased  and  removed  to  an  es- 
tate in  my  father's  parish.  Every  thing 
that  was  graceful  and  lovely  appeared  cen- 
tered in  her  person  ;  every  thing  that  was 
virtuous  and  excellent  in  her  mind.  I  sought 
her  hand.  Our  souls  soon  became  united 
by  the  indissoluble  bonds  of  since.rest  love, 
and  as  there  were  no  parental  or  other  im- 
pediments to  our  union,  it  was  agreed  that 
as  soon  as  I  returned  from  the  Indies,  where 


q 
f 


156  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

it  was  expected  that  my  stay  would  be  shor\ 
the  marriage  solemnities  should  be  perform- 
ed. Solemn  oaths  of  constancy  passed  be<- 
tween  us,  and  I  sailed,  with  my  regiment, 
for  the  Indies. 

"  While  there,  I  received  from  her,  and 
returned  letters  filled  with  the  tenderest  ex- 
pressions of  anxiety  and  regret  of  absence. 
At  length  the  time  came  when  we  were  to 
embark  for  England,  where  we  arrived  af- 
ter an  absence  of  about  eighteen  months. 
The  moment  I  got  on  land  I  hastened  to  the 
house  of  Mr.  Venion,  to  see  the  charmer  of 
my  soul.  She  received  me  with  all  the  ar- 
dency of  affection,  and  even  shed  tears  of 
joy  in  my  presence.  I  pressed  her  to  name 
the  day  which  was  to  perfect  our  union  and 
happiness,  and  the  next  Sunday,  four  days 
only  distant,  was  agreed  upon  for  me  to 
lead  her  to  the  altar.  How  did  my  heart 
bound  at  the  prospect  of  making  Miss  Ver- 
non  my  own  ! — of  possessing  in  her  all  that 
could  render  life  agreeable;  I  hastened  home 
to  my  family  and  informed  them  of  my  ap- 
proaching bliss,  who  all  sympathized  in  the 
anticipated  joy  which  swelled  my  bosom. 

"  I  had  a  sister  some  years  older  than  my- 
self, who  had  been  the  friend  and  inmate  of 
my  angel  in  my  absence.  They  were  now 
almost  every  day  together,  so  that  I  had 
frequent  opportunities  of  her  company. 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA.  157 

one  day  she  had  been  with  ray  sister  at  my 
father's,  a-nd  I  attended  her  home.  On  my 
return,  my  sister  requested  me  to  attend  her 
in  a  private  room.  We  therefore  retired, 
and  when  we  were  seated  she  thus  address- 
ed me 

Henry,  you  know  that  to  promote  your 
peace,  your  welfare,  and  your  happiness, 
has  ever  been  the  pride  of  my  heart.  No- 
thing except  this  could  extort  the  secret 
which  I  shall  now  disclose,  and  which  has 
yet  remained  deposited  in  my  own  bosom  : 
my  duty  to  a  brother  whom  I  esteem  dear 
as  life,  forbids  me  to  remain  silent.  As  an 
affectionate  sister,  I  cannot  tacitly  see  you 
thus  imposed  upon ;  I  cannot  see  you  the 
dupe  and  slave  of  an  artful  and  insidious 
woman,  who  does  not  sincerely  return  your 
love  ,  nor  can  I  bear  to  see  your  marriage 
consummated  with  one  whose  soul  and  af- 
fections are  placed  upon  another  object." 

"  Here  she  hesitated — while  I,  with  in- 
sufferable anguish  of  mind,  begged  her  to 
proceed. 

"About  six  or  eight  months  after  your 
departure,  site  continued,  it  was  reported 
to  Miss  Vernon  that  she  had  a  rival  in  the 
Indies  ;  that  you  had  there  found  an  Amer- 
ican beauty,  ow  whom  you  lavished  those 
endearments  which  belonged  of  right  to  her 
alone.  This  news  made,  at  first,  a  deep 
14 


158  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

impression  on  her  mind,  but  it  soon  wore 
away ;  and  whether  from  this  cause,  from 
fickleness  of  disposition,  or  that  she  never 
sincerely  loved  you,  I  know  not ;  but  this 
I  do  know,  that  a  youth  has  been  for  some 
time  past  her  almost  constant  companion. 
To  convince  you  of  this,  you  need  only  to- 
morrow evening,  about  sunset,  conceal  your- 
*  self  near  the  long  avenue  by  the  side  of  the 
rivulet,  back  of  Mr.  Vernon's  country-house, 
where  you  will  undoubtedly  surprise  Miss 
Vernon  and  her  companion  *in  their  usual 
evening's  walk.  If  I  should  be  mistaken  I 
will  submit  to  your  censure ;  but  should  you 
£nd  it  as  I  have  predicted,  you  have  only 
to  rush  from  your  concealment,  charge  her 
with  her  perfidy,  and  renounce  her  forever." 

"  Of  all  the  plagues,  of  aH  the  torments, 
of  all  the  curses  which  torture  the  soul,  jeal- 
ousy of  a  rival  in  love  is  the  worst.  Enraged, 
confounded  and  astonished,  it  seemed  as  if 
my  bosom  would  have  instantaneously  burst. 
To  conceal  my  emotions,  I  left  my  sister's 
apartment,  after  having  thanked  her  for  her 
information,  and  proceeded  to  obey  her  in- 
junctions. I  retired  to  my  own  room,  and 
there  poured  out  my  execrations. 

"  Cursed  woman  !  I  exclaimed,  is  it  thus 
you  requite  my  tender  love  !  Could  a  vague 
report  of  my  inconstancy  drive  you  to  infi- 
delity '  Did  not  my  contta  lal  letters  breathe 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA.  159 

constant  adoration?  And  did  not  yours 
portray  the  same  sincerity  of  affection  1 
No,  it  was  not  that  which  caused  you  t<? 
perjure  your  plighted  vows.  It  was  that 
damnable  passion  for  novelty,  which  more 
or  less  holds  a  predominancy  over  your  whole 
sex.  To  a  new  coat,  a  new  face,  a  new 
rover,  you  will  sacrifice  honour,  principle 
and  virtue.  And  to  those,  backed  by  splen- 
did power  and  splendid  property,  you  will 
forfeit  your  most  sacred  engagements,  though 
made  in  the  presence  of  heaven. — Thus  did 
I  rave  through  a  sleepless  night. 

"  The  next  day  I  walked  into  the  fields, 
and  before  the  time  my  sister  appointed  had 
arrived,  I  had  worked  up  my  feelings  almost 
to  the  frenzy  of  distraction.  I  repaired, 
however,  to  the  spot,  and  concealed  myself 
in  the  place  she  had  named,  which  was  a 
tuft  of  laurels  by  the  side  of  the  walk.  I 
soon  perceived  Miss  Vernon  strolling  down 
the  avenue,  arm  in  arm  with  a  young  man 
elegantly  dressed,  and  of  singular,  delicate 
appearance.  They  were  earnestly  convers- 
ing in  a  low  tone  of  voice ;  the  hand  of  my 
false  fair  one  was  gently  pressed  in  the  hand 
of  the  stranger.  As  soon  as  they  had  pass- 
ed the  place  of  my  concealment,  they  turn- 
ed aside  and  seated  themselves  in  a  little 
arbour,  a  few  yards  dietant  from  where  I 
sat.  The  stranger  clapped  Miss  Vernon 


16U  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

in  his  arms  :  "  Dearest  angel '  he  exclaim- 
ed, what  an  interruption  to  o«r  bliss  by  the 
return  of  my  hated  rival !"  With  fond  ca- 
resses and  endearing  blandishments,  "  fear 
nothing,  she  replied ;  I  have  promised  and 
must  yield  him  my  hand,  but  you  shall  nev- 
er be  excluded  from  my  heart ;  we  shall 
find  sufficient  opportunities  for  private  con- 
ference." I  could  contain  myself  no  longer 
— my  brain  was  on  fire.  Quick  as  light- 
ning I  sprang  from  my  covert,  and  present- 
ing a  pistol  which  I  had  concealed  under  my 
robe, — "  Die  !  said  I,  thou  false  and  perjur- 
ed wretch,  by  the  Ffend  thou  hast  dishonour- 
ed, a  death  too  mild  for  so  foul  a  crime  !" 
and  immediately  shot  Miss  Veruon  through 
the  head,  who  fell  lifeless  at  my  feet !  Then 
suddenly  drawing  my  sword,  "And  thou, 
perfidious  contaminator  and  destroyer  of 
my  bliss  !  cried  I — go  !  attend  thy  compan- 
ion in  iniquity  to  the  black  regions  of  ever- 
lasting torment !"  So  saying,  I  plunged  my 
sword  into  his  bosom.  A  screech  of  agony, 
attended  by  the  exclamation,  "  Henrj,  your 
wife  ! your  sister  !"  awoke  me,  too  late,  to 
terrors  unutterable,  to  anguish  unspeakable, 
to  woes  irretrievable,  and  insupportable  des- 
pair! It  was  indeed  my  betrothed  wife,  it  was 
indeed  my  affectionate  sister,  arrayed  in 
man's  habit.  The  one  lay  dead  befove  me,  the 
other  weltering  in  her  blood  !  With  a  feeble 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  161 

and  expiring  voice,  my  sister  informed  me, 
that  in  a  gay  and  inconsiderate  moment  they 
had  concerted  this  plan,  to  try  my  jealousy, 
determining  to  discover  themselves  &s  soon 
as  they  had  made  the  experiment.  "I  for- 
give you,  Henry,  she  said,  I  forgive  your, 
mistake,"  and  closed  her  eyes  for  ever  in 
death !  What  a  scene  for  sensibilities  like 
mine  !  To  paint  or  describe  it,  exceeds  the 
power  of  language  or  imagination.  I  in- 
stantly turned  the  sword  against  my  own 
bosom ;  an  unknown  hand  arrested  it,  and 
prevented  its  entering  my  heart.  The  re- 
port of  the  pistol,  and  the  dying  screech  of 
my  sister,  had  alarmed  Mr.  Vernon's  fami- 
ly, who  arrived  at  that  moment,  one  of  whom 
had  seized  my  arm,  and  thus  hindered  me 
from  destroying  my  own  life.  I  submitted 
to  be  bound  and  conveyed  to  prison.  My 
trial  came  on  at  the  last  assizes.  I  made  no 
defence;  and  was  condemned  to  death.  My 
execution  will  take  place  in  eight  weeks 
from  to-morrow.  I  shall  cheerfully  meet 
my  fate  ;  for  who  would  endure  life  when 
rendered  so  peculiarly  miserable  !" 

The  wretched  Malcomb  here  ended  his 
tale  of  woe.  No  tear  moistened  his  eye — 
his  grief  was  too  despairing  for  tears  ;  it 
preyed  upon  his  heart,  drank  the  vital 
streams  of  life,  and  burst  in  convulsive  sighs- 
from  his  burning  bosom.  TT 

14* 


IG2  ALONZO    A.VD    MELISSA. 

Alonzo  seriously  contemplated  on  the  in 
cidents  and  events  of  this  tragical  story. 
Conscience  whispered  him,  are  not  Mai- 
comb's  miseries  superior  to  thine  ?  Candour 
and  correct  reason  must  have  answered  yes 
"  Melissa  perished,  said  Alonzo,  but  not  by 
the  hand  of  her  lover  :  she  expired,  but  not 
through  the  mistaken  frenzy  of  him  who 
adored  her.  She  died,  conscious  of  the  un- 
feigned love  I  bore  her." 

Alonzo  and  his  fellow  prisoners  had  been 
lobbed,  when  they  were  captured,  of  every 
thing  except  the  clothes  they  wore.  Their 
allowance  of  provisions  was  scanty  and  poor. 
They  were  confined  in  the  third  story  of  a 
lofty  prison.  Time  rolled  away  ;  no  pros- 
pects appeared  of  their  liberation,  either  by 
exchange  or  parole.  Some  of  the  prisoners 
were  removed,  as  new  ones  were  introduc- 
ed, to  other  places  of  confinement,  until  net 
one  American  was  left  except  Alonzo. 

Meantime  the  day  appointed  for  the  ex- 
ecution of  Malcomb  drew  near.  His  past 
and  approaching  fate  filled  the  breast  of  A- 
lonzo  with  sympathetic  sorrow.  He  saw 
his  venerable  father,  his  mother,  his  friends 
and  acquaintance,  with  several  pious  cler- 
gymen, frequently  enter  the  prison  to  con- 
sole and  comfort  him,  and  to  prepare  him 
for  the  unchangeable  state  on  which  he  was 
soon  to  enter.  He  saw  his  mind  softened 


163  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

by  their  advice  and  counsel ; — frequntly 
would  he  burst  into  tears; — often  in  the  sol- 
itary hours  of  night  was  he  heard  addressing 
the  throne  of  grace  for  mercy  and  forgiv- 
ness.  But  the  grief  that  preyed  at  his  heart 
had  wasted  him  to  a  mere  skeleton ;  a  slow 
but  deleterious  fever  had  consequently  im- 
planted itself  in  his  constitution.  Exhaus- 
ted nature  could  make  but  a  weak  struggle 
against  disease  and  affliction  like  his,  and 
about  a  week  previous  to  the  day  appointed 
for  his  execution,  he  expired  in  peace  and 
penitence,  trusting  in  the  mercy  of  his  Cre- 
ator through  the  sufferings  of  a  Redeemer. 
Soon  after  this  event,  orders  came  for  re- 
moving some  of  the  prisoners  to  a  most 
loathsome  place  of  confinement  in  the  sub- 
urbs of  the  city.  It  fell  to  Alorizo's  lot  to 
be  one.  He  therefore  formed  a  project  for 
escaping.  He  had  observed  that  the  gra- 
tings in  one  of  the  windows  of  the  apartment 
were  loose  and  could  be  easily  removed. 
One  night  when  the  prisoners  were  asleep 
he  stripped  off  his  clothes,  every  article  of 
which  he  cut  into  narrow  strips,  tied  them 
together,  fastened  one  end  to  one  of  the 
strongest  gratings,  removed  the  others  until 
he  had  made  on  opening  large  enough  to  get 
out,  and  then,  by  the  rope  he  had  made  of 
his  clothes,  let  himself  down  into  the  yard 
of  the  pris(  n.  There  he  found  a  long 


1G4  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

piece  of  timber,  which  he  dragged  to 
the  wall,  clambered  up  thereon,  and  sprang 
over  into  the  street.  His  shoes  and  hat  he 
had  left  in  the  prison,  as  a  useless  encum- 
brance without  his  clothes,  all  which  he 
had  converted  into  the  means  of  escape,  so 
that  he  was  now  literally  stark  naked.  He 
stood  a  moment  to  reflect :— "  Here  am  I, 
said  he,  freed  from  my  local  prison  indeed, 
but  in  the  midst  of  an  enemy's  country, 
without  a  friend,  without  the  means  of  ob- 
taining one  day's  subsistence,  surrounded  by 
the  darkness  of  night,  destitute  of  a  single 
article  of  clothing,  and  even  unable  to  form 
a  resolution  what  step  next  to  take.  The 
ways  of  heaven  are  marvellous — may  I  si- 
lently bow  to  its  dispensations  !" 

Alonzo  passed  along  the  street  in  this 
forlorn  condition,  not  knowing  where  to 
proceed,  or  what  course  to  take.  It  was 
about  three  o'clock  in  tne  morninc,  the 
street  was  illuminated  by  lamps,  ud  he 
feared  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  watch 
For  some  time  he  saw  no  person  ,  at  length 
a  voice  from  the  other  side  of  the  street 
called  out, Hallo,  messmate!  what,  scud- 
ding under  bare  poles  ?  You  mast  have  ex- 
perienced a  severe  gale  indeed  thus  to  have 
carried  away  every  rag  of  sail !" 

Alonzo  turned,  and  saw  the  person  who 
spoke.  He  was  a  decent  looking  man,  of 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  165 

middle  age,  dressed  in  a  sailor'shabit,  A- 
lonzo  nad  often  heard  of  the  generosity  and 
honourable  conduct  of  the  British  tars  :  IMJ 
therefore  approached  him  and  told  him  his 
real  case,  not  even  concealing  his  being  ta- 
ken in  actual  hostility  to  the  British  gov- 
ernment, and  his  escape  from  prison.  The 
sailor  mused  a  few  minutes.  u  Thy  case 
said  he,  is  a  little  critical,  but  do  not  de- 
spair. Had  I  met  thee  as  an  enemy,  I 
should  have  fought  thee ;  but  as  it  is,  com- 
passion is  the  first  consideration.  Perhaps 
I  may  be  in  as  bad  a  situation  before  the 
war  is  ended."  Then  slipping  off  his  coat 
and  giving  it  to  Alonzo,  "  follow  me,"  he 
said,  and  turning,  walked  hastily  along  the 
street,  followed  by  Alonzo ;  he  passed  into 
a  bye-lane,  entered  a  small  house,  and  tak- 
ing Alonzo  into  a  back  room,  opened  a 
trunk,  and  handed  out  a  shirt :  "  there,  said 
he,  pointing  to  a  bed,  you  can  sleep  till 
morning, when  we  will  see  what  can  be  done,' 
_--The  next  morning  the  sailor  brought  in  a 
very  decent  suit  of  clothes  and  presented 
them  to  Alonzo.  "  You  will  make  this 
place  your  home,  said  he,  until  more  favor- 
able prospects  appear.  In  this  great  city 
you  will  bs  safe,  for  even  your  late  ga^er 
would  not  recognize  you  in  this  dress.  And 
perhaps  some  opportunity  may  offer  by 
which  you  may  return  to  your  own  countiy  " 


166  ALONZO    AND    MLLISSA. 

He  told  Alonzo  that  his  name  was  Jack 
Brown ;  that  he  was  a  midshipman  on 
board  the  Severn;  that  he  had  a  wife  and 
four  children,  and  owned  the  bouse  in  which 
they  then  were.  u  In  order  to  prevent  sus- 
picion or  discovery,  said  he,  I  shall  consid- 
er you  as  a  relation  from  the  country  until 
you  are  better  provided  for."  Alonzo  was 
then  introduced  to  the  sailor's  wil»«,  a  a- 
miable  woman,  and  here  he  remained  for 
several  weeks. 

One  day  Alonzo  was  infoemed  that  a 
number  of  American  prisoners  were  brought 
in.  He  went  to  the  plpce  where  they  were 
landed,  and  saw  several  led  away  to  prison, 
and  some  who  were  sick  or  disabled,  car- 
ried to  the  hospital.  As  the  hospital  was 
near  at  hand,  Alonzo  entered  it  to  see 
how  the  sick  and  disabled  prisoners  were 
treated. 

He  found  that  they  received  as  nrich 
attention  as  could  reasonably  be  expect- 
ed.* As  he  passed  along  the  different  a- 
partments  he  was  surprised  at  hearing  his 
name  called  by  a  faint  voice.  Ke  turned 
to  the  place  from  whence  it  proceeded,  and 
saw  stretched  on  a  mattress,  a  person  who 
appeared  on  the  point  of  expiring.  His  vi- 


•The  Americans  who  were  imprisoned  in  Knglaud,  tu  «.be  time 
of  war,  were  «vati-d  with  mneh  uiure  ii'inittjutj  than  t. use  \>uu 
were  iinprijorcd  in  America. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  167 

gage  was  pale  and  emaciated,  his  counte- 
nance haggard  and  ghastly,  his  eyes  inex- 
pressive and  glazy.  He  held  out  his  with- 
ered hand,  and  feebly  beckoned  to  Aloiizo, 
who  immediately  approached  him.  His 
features  appeared  not  unfamiliar  to  Alonzo, 
but  for  a  moment  he  could  not  recollect 
him.  "You  do  not  know  me,"  said  the 
apparently  dying  stranger.  'Beauman  !  " 
exclaimed  Alonzo,  in  surprise.  "Yes,  re- 
plied the  sick  man,  it  is  Beauman  ;  you  be- 
hold me  on  the  verge  of  eternity;  1  ha\e 
but  a  short  time  to  continue  in  this  world." 
Alonzo  enquired  how  he  came  m  the  power 
of  the  enemy.  "By  the  fate  of  wa  ,  he  re- 
plied ;  I  was  taken  in  an  action  on  York 
Island,  carried  on  board  a  prison-ship  in 
New-York,  and  sent  with  a  number  of  oth- 
ers for  England.  I  had  received  a  wound 
in  my  thigh,  from  a  musket  ball,  during  the 
action  ;  the  wound  mortified,  and  my  thigh 
was  amputated  on  the  voyage ;  since  which 
I  have  been  rapidly  wasting  away,  and  I 
now  feel  that  the  cold  hand  of  death  is  laid 
upon  me."  Here  he  became  exhausted, 
and  for  some  time  remained  silent.  Alon- 
zo had  not  before  discovered  that  he  had 
lost  his  leg:  he  now  found  that  it  had  been 
taken  oiF  close  to  his  body,  and  that  he  was 
worn  to  skeleton.  When  Beauman  revi- 
ved, he  enquired  into  Alonzo's  affairs.  A- 


168  ALONZ9   AND   MELISSA. 

lonzo  related  all  th-at  bad  happened  to  him 
after  leaving  New  London. 

"You  are  unhappy,  Alonzo,  said  Beau- 
man,  in  the  death  of  your  Melissa,  to  which 
it  is  possible  I  have  beeo,  un designedly  ac- 
cessory. I  could  say  much  on  the  subject, 
would  my  strength  permit ;  but  it  is  need- 
less. She  is  gone,  and  I  must  soon  go  also. 
She  was  sent  to  her  uncle's  at  Charleston, 
by  her  father,  where  I  was  soon  to  follow 
her.  It  was  supposed  that  thus  widely  re- 
moved from  all  access  to  your  company, 
she  would  yield  to  the  persuasion  of  her 
friends  to  renounce  you:  her  unexpected 
death,  however,  frustrated  every  design  of 
this  nature,  and  overwhelmed  her  father 
and  family  in  inexpressible  woe." 

Here  Beauman  ceased.  Alonzo  found 
he  wanted  rest :  he  enquired  whether  he 
was  in  want  of  any  thing  to  render  him 
more  comfortable.  Beauman  replied  that 
he  was  not :  "For  the  comforts  of  this  life, 
said  he.  1  have  no  relish ;  medical  aid  is 
applied,  but  without  effect."  Alonzo  then 
left  him,  promising  to  call  again  in  the  mor- 
ning. 

When  Alonzo  called  the  next  morning, 
he  perceived  an  alarming  alteration  in  Beau- 
man.  His  extremities  were  cold,  a  chil- 
ling, clammy  sweat  stood  upon  his  face,  his 
respiration  was  short  and  interrupted,  his 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  169 

pulse  weak  and  intermitting.  He  took  the 
hand  of  Alonzo,  and  feebly  pressing  it, —  "1 
am  dying,  said  he  in  a  faint  voice.  If  ever 
you  return  to  America,  inform  my  friends 
of  my  fate."  This  Alonzo  readily  enga- 
ged to  do,  and  told  him  also  that  he  would 
not  leave  him. 

Beauman  soon  fell  into  a  stupor;  sensa- 
tion became  suspended ;  his  eyes  rolled  up 
and  fixed.  Sometimes  a  partial  revival 
would  take  place,  when  he  would  fall  into 
incoherent  muttering,  calling  on  the  names 
of  his  deceased  father,  his  mother  and  Me- 
lissa; his  voice  dying  away  in  imperfect 
moanings,  till  his  lips  continued  to  move 
without  sound.  Towards  night  he  lay  si- 
lent, and  only  continued  to  breathe  with 
difficulty,  till  a  slight  convulsion  gave  the 
freed  spirit  to  the  unknown  regions  of  im- 
material existence.  Alonzo  followed  his 
remains  to  the  grave  :  a  natural  stone  was 
placed  at  its  head,  on  which  Alonzo,  unob- 
served, carved  the  initials  of  the  deceas- 
ed's name,  with  the  date  of  his  death,  and 
left  him  to  moulder  with  his  native  dust. 

A  few  days  after  this  event,  Jack  Brown 
informed  A'onzo  that  he  had  procured  the 
means  o£  his  escape.  A  person  with  whom 
I  am  acquainted,  said  he,  and  whom  I  sup- 
pose to  be  a  smuggler,  has  agreed  to  carry 
you  to  France.  There,  by  application  to 
15 


170  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

the  American  minister,  you  will  be  enabled 
to  get  to  your  own  country,  if  that  is  your 
object.  About  midnight  I  will  pilot  you  on 
board,  and  by  to-morrow's  sun  you  may  be 
m  France." 

At  the  time  appointed,  Jack  set  out, 
rearing  a  large  trunk  on  his  shoulder,  and 
directed  Alonzo  to  follow  him.  They  pro- 
ceeded down  to  a  quay,  and  went  on  board 
a  small  skiff.  "  Here,  said  Jack  to  the  cap- 
tain, is  the  gentleman  T  spoke  to  you  a- 
bout,"  and  delivered  him  the  trunk.  Then 
taking  Alonzo  aside,  "  in  that  trunk,  said 
he,  are  a  few  changes  of  linen,  and  here  is 
something  to  help  you  till  you  can  help 
yourself."  So  saying,  he  slipped  ten  guin- 
eas into  his  hand.  Alonzo  expressed  his 
gratitude  with  tears.  "  Say  nothing,  said 
Jack,  we  were  born  to  help  each  other  in 
distress,  and  may  Jack  never  weather  a 
storm  or  splice  a  rope,  if  he  permits  a  fel- 
low creature  to  suffer  with  want  while  he 
has  a  luncheon  on  board."  He  then  shook 
Alonzo  by  the  hand,  wishing  him  a  good 
voyage,  and  went  whistling  away.  The 
skiff  soon  sailed,  and  the  next  morning  A- 
lonzo  was  landed  in  France.  Alonzo  pro- 
ceeded immediately  to  Paris,  not  with  a 
Hew  of  returning  to  America ;  he  had  yet 
ao  relish  for  revisiting  the  land  of  his  sor- 
rows, the  scenes  where  at  every  step  his 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA.  171 

heart  must  bleed  afresh,  though  to  bleed  it 
had  never  ceased.  But  he  was  friendless 
in  a  strange  land  :  perhaps,  through  the  aid 
of  the  American  minister,  Dr.  Franklin,  to 
whose  fame  Alonzo  was  no  stranger,  he 
might  be  placed  in  a  situation  to  procure 
bread,  which  was  all  he  at  present  hoped  or 
wished. 

.  He  therefore  presented  himself  before 
the  doctor,  whom  he  found  in  his  study. — 
To  be  informed  that  he  was  an  American 
and  unfortunate,  was  sufficient  to  arouse 
the  feelings  of  Franklin.  He  desired  Alon- 
zo to  be  seated,  and  to  recite  his  history. 
This  he  readily  complied  with,  not  conceal- 
ing his  attachment  to  Melissa,  her  father's 
barbarity,  her  death  in  consequence,  his 
own  father's  failure,  with  all  the  particu- 
lars of  his  leaving  America,  his  capture,  es- 
cape from  prison,  and  arrivalin  France  ;  as 
also  the  town  of  his  nativity,  the  name  of 
his  father,  and  the  particular  circumstances 
of  his  family  ;  concluding  by  expressing  his 
unconquerable  reluctance  to  return  to  his 
native  country,  which  now  would  be  to  him 
only  a  gloomy  wilderness,  and  that  his  pres- 
ent object  was  only  some  means  of  support. 
The  doctor  enquired  of  Alonzo  the  par- 
ticular circumstances  and  time  of  his  fa- 
.her's  failure.  Of  this  Alonzo  gave  him  a 
•ninute  account.  Franklin  then  sat  in  deep 


172  ALONZO  AND  Mt^iSSA. 

contemplation  for  the  space  of  fifteen  min- 
ates,  without  speaking  a  word.  He  theu 
took  his  pen,  wrote  a  short  note,  directed 
t,  and  gave  it  to  Alonzo  :  "  Deliver  this, 
said  he,  to  the  person  to  whom  it  is  direct- 
ed ;  he  will  find  you  employment,  until 
something  mo«3  favourable  may  offer." 

Alonzo  took  the  note,  thanked  the  doc- 
tor, and  went  in  search  of  the  person  to 
whom  it  was  addressed.  He  soon  found 
the  house,  which  was  situated  in  one  of  the 
most  popular  streets  in  Paris.  He  knock- 
ed at  the  door,  which  was  opened  by  an 
elderly  looking  man  :  Alonzo  enquired  for 
the  name  to  whom  the  note  was  addressed. 
The  gentleman  informed  him  that  he  was 
the  man.  Alonzo  presented  him  the  note, 
which  having  read,  he  desired  him  to  walk 
in,  and  ordered  supper.  After  supper  he 
informed  Alonzo  that  he  was  an  English 
bookseller  ;  that  he  should  employ  him  as 
a  clerk,  and  desired  to  know  what  wages  he 
demanded.  .  Alonzo  replied  that  he  should 
submit  that  to  him,  being  unacquainted  with 
the  customary  salary  of  clerks  in  that  line 
of  business.  The  gentleman  told  him  that 
the  matter  should  be  arranged  the  next  day. 
His  name  was  Grafton. 

The  next  morning  Mr.  Grafton  took  A- 
lonzo  into  his  bookstore,  and  gave  him  his 
instrifctions  His  business  was  to  sell  the 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA.  173 

books  to  customers,  and  a  list  of  prices  was 
given  him  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Grafton 
counted  out  twenty  crowns  and  gave  them 
to  Alonzo  :  "  You  may  want  some  necessa- 
ries, said  he  ;  and  as  you  have  set  no  prict 
on  your  services,  we  shall  not  differ  about 
the  wages  if  you  are  attentive  and  faithful." 

Alonzo  gave  his  employer  no  room  to 
complain  ;  nor  had  he  any  reason  to  be  dis- 
contented with  his  situation.  Mr.  Graf- 
ton  regularly  advanced  him  twenty  crowns 
at  the  commencement  of  every  month,  and 
boarded  him  in  his  family.  Alonzo  dressed 
himself  in  deep  mourning.  He  sought  no 
company  ;  he  found  consolation  only  in  sol- 
itude, if  consolation  it  could  be  called. 

As  he  was  walking  out  early  one  morn- 
ing, he  discovered  something  lying  in  the 
street,  which  he  at  first  supposed  to  be  a 
small  piece  of  silk  :  he  took  it  up  and  found 
it  to  be  a  curiously  wrought  purse,  contain- 
ing a  few  guineas  with  some  small  pieces  of 
silver,  and  something  at  the  bottom  care- 
fully wrapped  in  a  piece  of  paper ;  he  un- 
folded it,  and  was  thunderstruck  at  behold- 
ing an  elegant  miniature  of  Melissa  !  Hei 
sweetly  pensive  features,  her  expressive 
countenance,  her  soul-enlivening  eye  !  The 
shock  was  almost  too  powerful  for  his 
senses  Wildered  in  a  maze  of  wonders,  he 
knew  not  what  to  conjecture.  Melissa's 
15* 


174  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

miniature  found  in  the  streets  of  Paris,  af- 
cr  she  had  some  time  been  dead !  He 
riewed  it,  he  clasped  it  to  his  bosom. — 
"  Such,  said  he,  did  she  appear,  ere  the  coi'- 
roding  cankers  of  grief  had  blighted  he; 
heavenly  charms!  By  what  providential 
miracle  am  I  possessed  of  the  likeness, 
when  the  original  is  no  more  ?  What  benevo- 
'ent  angel  has  taken  pity  on  my  sufferings, 
jid  conveyed  to  me  this  inestimable  prize?'* 

But  though  he  had  thus  become  possess- 
ed of  what  he  esteemed  most  valuable, 
what  right  had  he  to  withhold  it  from  the 
lawful  owner,  could  the  owner  indeed  be 
found  ?  Perhaps  the  person  who  had  lost 
it  would  part  with  it ;  perhaps  the  money 
contained  in  the  purse  was  of  more  value 
to  that  person  than  the  miniature.  At  any 
rate,  justice  required  that  he  should  endea- 
vour to  find  to  whom  it  belonged  :  this  he 
might  do  by  advertising,  which  he  immedi- 
ately concluded  upon,  resolving,  should  the 
owner  appear,  to  purchase  the  miniature, 
;_;  possibly  within  his  power. 

Passing  into  another  street,  he  saw  several 
hand-bills  stuck  up  on  the  walls  of  houses  • 
stepping  up  to  one,  he  read  as  follows  : 

"  Lost,  between  the  hours  of  nine  and 
ten  last  evening,  in  the  Rue  de  Loir,  a  small 
silk  purse,  containing  a  few  pieces  of  money, 
and  a  lady's  miniature.  One  hundred 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  175 

erowns  will  be  given  to  the  person  who 
Ljay  have  found  it,  and  will  restore  it  to  the 
owner  at  the  American  Hotel,  near  the 
Louvre,  Room  No.  4.  " 

It  was  printed  both  in  the  French  and 
English  languages.  By  the  reward  here  of- 
fered, AloLzo  was  convinced  that  the  minia- 
ture belonged  to  some  person  who  set  a 
value  upon  it.  Determined  to  explicate 
the  mystery,  he  proceeded  immediately  to 
the  place,  found  the  room  mentioned  in  the 
bill,  and  knocked  at  the  door.  A  servant 
appeared  of  whom  Alonzo  enquired  for  the 
lodger.  The  servant  answered  him  in 
French,  which  Alonzo  did  not  understand  : 
he  replied  in  his  own  language,  but  found 
it  was  unintelligible  to  the  servaut.  A 
grave  middle  aged  gentleman  then  came 
to  the  door  from  within  the  room  and  en- 
ded their  jabbering  at  each  other:  he,  in 
the  English  language,  desired  Alonzo  to 
walk  in.  It  was  an  apartment  neatly  fur- 
uished ;  no  person  was  therin  except  the 
gentleman  and  servant  before  mentioned, 
and  a  person  who  sat  writing  in  a  corner  of 
the  room,  with  his  back  towards  them. 

Alonzo  informed  the  gentleman  that  he 
had  called  according  to  the  direction  in  a 
bill  of  advertisement  to  enquire  for  the 
person  who  the  preceding  night,  had  lost  a 
purse  and  miniature.  The  person  who  was 


176  ALONZO   AND   MELISSA. 

writing  had  hitherto  taken  no  notice  of 
what  had  passed;  bui  at  the  sound  of  A- 
lonzo's  voice,  aftei  he  had  entered  the 
room,  he  started  and  turned  about,  ai±d  at 
mention  of  the  miniature,  he  rose  up.  A- 
lonzo  fixed  his  eyes  upon  him :  they  both 
stood  for  a  few  moments  silent:  for  a  short 
time  their  recollection  was  confused  and 
imperfect,  but  the  mists  of  doubt  were  soon 
dissipated.  "Edgar !"— "  Alonzo!"  they 
alternately  exclaimed.  It  was  indeed  Ed- 
gar, the  early  friend  and  fellow  student  of 
Alofizo — the  brother  of  Melissa!  In  an  in- 
stant they  were  in  each  others  arms. 

Edgar  and  Alonzo  retired  to  a  separate 
room.  Edgar  informed  Alonzo  that,  the 
news  of  Melissa's  death  reached  him,  by  a 
letter  from  his  father,  while  with  the  army; 
that  he  immediately  procured  a  furlough, 
and  visited  his  father,  whom,  with  his  moth- 
er, he  found  in  inconsolable  distress. — '4The 
letter  which  my  uncle  had  written,  said  Ed- 
gar, announcing  her  death,  mentioned  with 
what  patience  and  placidity  she  endured  her 
malady,  and  with  what  calmness  and  resig- 
nation she  met  tue  approach  of  death.  Her 
last  moments,  like  her  whole  life,  were  un- 
ruffled and  serene.  She  is  in  heaven  Alon- 
zo— she  is  an  a~gelm — Swelling  grief  here 
choaked  the  utterance  of  Edgar;  for  some 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  177 

time  he  could  proceed  no  farther,  and  Alon- 
so,  with  bursting  bosom,  mingled  his  tears. 
"My  father,  resumed  Edgar,  bent  0*1 
uniting  her  to  Beauman  or  at  least  of  prevent- 
ing her  union  with  you,  had  removed  her 
to  a  desolate  family  mansion,  and  placed 
her  under  the  care  of  an  aunt.  At  that 
place,  he  either  suspected,  on  really  discov- 
ered that  you  had  recourse  to  her  while  my 
aunt  was  absent  on  business.  She  was  there- 
fore no  longer  entrusted  to  the  care  of  her 
aunt,  but  my  father  immediately  formed  and 
executed  the  plan  of  sending  her  to  his 
brother  in  South  Carolina,  under  pretence 
of  restoring  her  to  health  by  change  of  cli- 
mate,  as  her  health  in  reality  had  began 
rapidly  to  decay.  There  it  was  designed 
that  Beauman  should  shortly  follow  her, 
with  recommendations  from  my  father  to 
her  uncle,  urging  him  to  use  all  possible 
means  which  might  tend  to  persuade  her  to 
become  the  wife  of  Beauraan.  But  change 
of  climate  only  encreased  the  load  of  sor- 
rows, and  she  soon  sunk  beneath  them. 
The  letter  mentioned  nothing  of  her  trou- 
bles: possibly  my  uncle's  family  knew 
nothing  of  them  :  to  them,  probably, 

•*  She  never  t«M  her  love, 

But  sat  like  Patience  on  a  monument 
j  Smiling  at  grief;  w'  i-leead  cuRoealiaaat. 

Like  a  worm  'n  the  bun,  T      ' 

Vod  oil  her  damask  oh&ok.          •" 


178  ALONZO   AND   MELISSA. 

"  My  father's  distress  was  excessive  :  of 
ten  did  he  accuse  himself  of  barbarity,  and 
he  once  earnestly  expressed  a  wish  that  hft 
had  consented  to  her  union  with  you.  My 
father,  I  know,  is  parsimonious,  but  he  sin- 
cerely loved  his  children.  Inflexible  as  is 
his  nature,  the  untimely  death  of  a  truly  af- 
fectionate and  only  daughter  will,  I  much 
fear,  precipLate  him,  and  perhaps  my  moth- 
er also,  to  a  speedy  grave. 

"As  soon  as  my  feelings  would  permit,  I 
repaired  to  your  father's,  and  made  enquiry 
concerning  you.  I  ^und  your  parents  con- 
tent in  their  humble  state,  except  that  your 
father  had  been  ill,  but  was  recovering.  Of 
you  they  had  heard  nothing  since  your  de- 
parture, and  they  deeply  lamented  your  ab- 
sence. And  from  Vincent  I  could  obtain 
no  farther  information. 

*  Sick  of  the  world,  I  returned  to  the  ar- 
my. An  American  consul  was  soon  to  sail 
for  Holland  : — I  solicited  and  obtained  the 
appointment  of  secretary.  I  hoped  by  vis- 
iting distant  countries,  in  some  measure  to 
relieve  my  mind  from  the  deep  melancholy 
with  :vhich  it  was  oppressed.  We  were  to 
proceed  first  to  Paris,  where  we  have  been 
a  few  days ;  to-morrow  we  are  to  depart 
for  Holland.  The  consul  is  the  man  who 
introduced  vou  into  the  room  where  yon 
found  me- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  179 


"Last  evening  I  lost  the  miniature 
I  suppose  you  have  found:  the  chain  lo 
which  it  was  suspended  around  my  neck, 
had  broken  while  I  was  walking  the  street 
I  carefully  wrapped  it  in  paper  and  deposit 
ed  it  in  my  purse,  which  I  probably  drop- 
ped on  replacing  it  in  my  pocket,  and  did 
riot  discover  the  loss  until  this  morning.  I 
immediately  made  diligent  search,  but  not 
finding  it,  I  put  up  bills  of  advertisement 
The  likeness  was  taken  in  my  sister's  hap- 
piest days.  After  I  had  entered  upon  ray 
professional  studies  in  New-  York,  I  became 
acquainted  with  a  miniature  painter.  wLo 
took  my  likeness.  He  afterwards  went  in- 
to the  country,  and  as  I  found  he  was  to 
pass  near  my  father's,  I  engaged  him  to  call 
there  and  take  my  sister's  likeness  also, 
We  exchanged  them  soon  after.  It  was 
dear  to  me,  even  while  the  original  remrfin- 
ed  ;  but  since  she  is  gone  it  has  become  a 
most  precious  and  valuable  relique." 

All  the  tender  powers  of  Alonzon's  soul 
were  called  into  action  by  Edgar's  recital. 
The  "  days  of  other  years"  —  the  ghosts  of 
sepulchered  blessings,  passed  in  painful  re- 
view. Added  to  these,  the  penurious  con- 
dition of  his  parents,  his  father's  recent  ill- 
ness. and  his  probable  inability  to  procure 
the  bread  of  his  family,  all  tended  more 
tle^pJy  to  sink  his  spirits  in  the  gulf  of  uiel 


ISO  ALONZO     AND  MELISSA. 

ancholy  and  misery.  He  however  informed 
Edgar  of  all  that  had  hapened  since  they 
parted  at  Vincent's — respecting  the  old  man- 
sion Melissa's  extraordinary  disappearance 
therefrom,  the  manner  in  which  he  was  in- 
formed of  her  death,  his  departure  from  A- 
meica,  capture,  escape,  Beauman's  death, 
arrival  in  France,  and  his  finding  the  mini- 
ature. To  Edgar  as  well  as  Alonzo,  Me- 
lissa sudden  and  unaccountable  removal 
from  the  mansion  was  mysterious  and  inex- 
plicable. 

As  Edgar  was  to  depart  eany  m*>  next 
morning,  they  neither  slept  nor  separated 
that  night. 

"  If  it  were  not  for  your  reluctance  to  re- 
visit your  native  country,  said  Edgar,  I 
should  urge  you  to  accompany  me  io  Hol- 
land, and  thence  return  with  me  to  Ameri- 
ca. Necessity  and  duty  require  that  I 
should  not  be  long  absent,  as  my  parents  want 
my  'assistance,  and  they  are  now  childless.'7 

"  Suffer  me,  answered  Alonzo,  to  bury 
myself  in  this  city  for  the  present :  should 
I  ever  again  awake  to  real  life,  I  will  seek 
ou  out  if  you  are  on  the  earth  ; — but  now, 
can  only  be  a  companion  to  my  miseries." 

The  next  morning  as  they  were  about  to 
depart,  Alonzo  took  Melissa's  miniature 
from  his  bosom,  contemplated  the  picture 
a  few  moments  with  ardent  emotioa,  and 


I 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  181 

presented  it  to  Edgar.  "  Keep  it,  said  Kd- 
gar,  it  is  thine.  I  bestow  it  upon  thee  as  I 
would  the  original,  had  not  death  become 
the  rival  of  thy  love,  and  my  affection.— 
Suffer  not  the  sacred  symbol  too  tenderly 
to  renew  your  sorrows.  How  swiftly,  A- 
lonzo,  does  this  restless  life  fleet  away  ! — 
How  soon  shall  we  pass  the  barriers  of  ter- 
restrial existence !  Let  us  live  worthy  of 
ourselves,  of  our  holy  religion,  of  Melissa — 
Melissa,  whom,  when  a  few  more  suns 
have  arisen  and  set,  we  shall  meet  in  re- 
gions where  all  tears  shall  be  eternally  wip- 
ed from  every  eye." 

With  what  unspeakable  sensibilities  we-, 
it  returned  to  Alonzo's  bosom  !  Edgar  of- 
fered Alonzo  pecuniary  assistance,  which 
the  latter  refused:  "I  am  in  business,  said 
he,  which  brings  me  a  decent  support,  and 
that  is  sufficient."  They  agreed  to.  write 
each  other  as  frequently  as  possible,  and 
tLen  affectionately  parted  :  Edgar  sailed  for 
Holland,  and  Alonzo  returned  to  his  busi- 
ness at  Mr.  Grafton'^ 

Some  time  after  this  Alonzo  received  a 
message  from  Dr.  Franklin,  requiring  his 
attendance  at  his  house,  which  summons  he 
immediately  obeyed.  The  doctor  introduc- 
ed him  into  his  study,  and  after  being  seat- 
ed, he  earnestly  viewed  Alonzo  for  some 
time,  and  thus  addressed  him  : 
16 


182  ALONZO    AND   MELISSA. 

*•  Young  man,  your  views,  your  resolu- 
tions, and  your  present  conduct,  are  totally 
wrong.  Disappointment,  you  say,  has  driv- 
en you  from  your  native  country.  Disap- 
pointment in  what  ?  In  obtaining  the  object 
on  which  you  most  doated.  And  suppose 
this  object  had  been  obtained,  would  your 
happiness  have  been  complete  ?  Your  own 
reason,  if  you  coolly  consult  it.  will  convince 
you  of  the  contrary.  Do  you  not  remem- 
ber when  an  infant,  how  you  cried,  and 
teazed  your  nurse,  or  your  parents,  for  a 
rattle,  or  some  gay  trinket  ? — Your  whole 
soul  was  fixed  upon  the  enchanting  bauble; 
but  when  obtained,  you  soon  cast  it  a*vay, 
and  sighed  as  earnestly  for  some  other  tii- 
fle,  some  new  toy.  Thus  it  is  through  life; 
the  fancied  value  of  an  object  ceases  with 
the  attainment;  it  becomes  familiar,  and 
its  charm  is  lost. 

"  Was  it  the  splendours  of  beauty  which 
enraptured  you?  Sickness  may,  and  age 
must  destroy  the  symmetry  of  the  most  fin- 
ished form — the  brilliancy  of  the  finest  fea- 
tures. Was  it  the  graces  of  the  mind  ?  1 
teil  you,  that  by  familiarity,  these  allure- 
ments are  lost,  and  the  mind,  left  vacant, 
turns  to  some  other  source  to  supply  caeuuvi. 

"  Stripped  of  all  their  intrinsic  value,  how 
poor  how  vain,  and  how  worthless,  are  ihos^ 
things  we  name  pleasures,  and  enjoyment* 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  183 

"  Besides,  the  attainment  of  your  wishes 
might  have  been  the  death  of  your  hopes. 
If  my  reasoning  is  correct,  the  ardency  of 
your  passion  might  have  closed  with  the 
pursuit  An  every  day  suit,  however  rich 
and  costly  the  texture,  is  soon  worn  thread- 
hare.  On  your  part,  indifference  would  con- 
sequently succeed  :  o-n  the  part  of  your 
partner,  disappointment,  jealousy,  and  dis- 
gust. What  might  follow  is  needless  for  me 
to  name  j — your  soul  must  shudder  at  the 
idea  of  conjugal  infidelity  ! 

"  But  admitting  the  most  favourable  con- 
sequences; turn  the  brightest  side  of  the 
picture;  admitting  as  much  happiness  as 
the  connubial  state  will  allow  :  how  might 
your  bosom  have  been  wounded  by  the  sick- 
ness and  death  of  your  children,  or  their 
disorderly,  and  disobedient  conduct !  You 
must  know  also,  that  the  warmth  of  youth- 
ful passion  must  soon  cease,  arid  it  is  mere- 
ly a  hazardous  chance  whether  friendship 
will  supply  the  absence  of  affection. 

u After  all,  my  young  friend,  it  will  be 
well  for  you  to  consider,  whether  the  all- 
wise  dispensing  hand  of  Providence,  has  not 
directed  this  matter  wh»ic-h  you  esteem  so 
great  an  affliction,  ::br  your  greatest  good, 
and  most  essential  advantage.  And  suffer 
me  to  tell  you,  that  in  all  my  observations 
on  life,  I  have  always  found  that  those  con- 


184  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

nections  which  were  formed  from  inordi- 
nate passion,  or  what  some  would  call  pure 
affection,  have  been  ever  the  most  unhap- 
py. Examine  the  varied  circles  of  society, 
you  will  there  see  this  axiom  demonstrat- 
ed ;  you  will  there  see  how  few  among  the 
sentimentally  refined  are  even  apparently 
at  ease;  while  those,  insusceptible  of  what 
you  name  tender  attachments,  or  who  re- 
ceive them  only  as  things  of  course,  plod  on 
through  life,  without  even  experiencing  the 
least  inconvenience  from  a  want  of  the 
pleasures  they  are  supposed  to  bestow,  or 
the  pains  they  are  sure  to  create.  Beware, 
then,  my  son,  beware  of  yielding  the 
heart  to  the  effeminacies  of  passion.  Ex- 
quisite sensibilities  are  ever  subject  to  ex- 
quisite inquietudes.  Counsel  with  correct 
reason,  place  entire  dependence  on  the 
SUPREME,  and  the  triumph  of  fortitude  and 
resignation  will  be  yours." 

Franklin  paused.  His  reasonings,  how- 
ever they  convinced  the  understanding, 
could  not  heal  the  wounds  of  Alonzo's 
bosom. — In  Melissa  he  looked  for  as  much 
happiness  as  earth  could  afford,  nor  could 
he  see  any  prospect  in  life  which  could 
repair  the  loss  he  had  sustained. 

"  You  have,  resumed  the  philosopher,  de- 
serted an  indulgent  father,  a  fond  and  ten- 
der mother,  who  must  want  your  aid ;  now, 


ALON2.0    AND    MELISSA.  1M> 

perhaps,  unable  to  toil  for  bread  ;  now,  pos 
sibly  laid  upon  the  bed  of  sickness,  calling, 
iii  anguish  or  delirium,  for  the  filial  hand  of 

their  only  sen  to  administer  relief." AH 

the  parental  feelings  of  Alonzo   were  now 

called  into  poignant  action, "  You  have 

left  a  country,  bleeding  at  every  pore,  des- 
oJated  by  the  ravages  of  war,  wrecked  by 
the  thunders  of  battle,  her  heroes  slain,  her 
children  captured.  This  country  asks — she 
demands — you  owe  her  your  services  :  God 
and  nature  call  upon  you  to  defend  her, 
while  here  you  bury  yourself  in  in-glorious 
inactivity,  pining  for  a  hapless  object,  which, 
by  all  your  lamentations,  you  can  never 
bring  back  to  the  regions  of  mortality." 

This  Aroused  the  patriotic  flame  in  the 
bosom  o .  Alonzo,  and  he  voluntarily  ex- 
claimed, '"  I  will  go  to  the  relief  of  my  pa- 
rents— I  will  fly  to  the  defence  of  my  coun- 
try!" 

"In  former  days,  continued  Franklin,  i 
was  well  acquainted  with  your  father.  As 
soon  as  you  informed  me  of  his  failure,  I 
wrote  to  my  correspondent  in  England,  and 
tound,  as  I  expected,,  that  he  had  been  over- 
reached by  swindler?  and  sharpers. The 

pretended  failure  of  the  merchants  with 
whom  he  was  in  company,  was  all  a  sham, 
as,  arlso  the  reported  loss  of  the  ships  in  their 
employ.  The  merchants  fled  to  England  : 


186  ALONZO   AND   MELISSA. 

I  have  had  them  arrested,  and  they  have 
given  up  their  effects  to  much  more  than 
the  amount  of  their  debts.  I  have  there- 
fore procured  a  reversion  of  your  father's 
losses,  which,  with  costs,  damages,  and  in- 
terests, when  legally  stated,  he  will  receive 
of  my  agent  in  Philadelphia,  to  whom  I  shall 
transmit  sufficient  documents  by  you,  and  I 
shall  advance  you  a  sum  equal  to  the  ex- 
penses of  your  voyage,  which  will  be  liqui- 
dated by  the  said  agent.  A  ship  sails  in  a 
few  days  from  Havre,  for  Savannah  in 
Georgia :  it  would,  indeed,  be  more  con- 
venient were  she  bound  to  some  more  north- 
ern port,  but  I  know  of  no  other  which  will 
sail  for  any  part  of  America  for  some  time. 
In  her  therefore  I  would  advise  you  to  take 
passage :  it  is  not  very  material  on  what 
part  of  the  continent  you  are  landed;  you 
will  soon  reach  Philadelphia,  transact  your 
business,  restore  your  father  to  his  property, 
and  be  ready  to  serve  your  country." 

If  any  thing  could  have  given  Alonzo  con- 
solation, it  must  have  been  this  noble,  gen- 
erous and  disinterested  conduct  of  the  great 
Franklin  in  favour  of  his  father,  by  which 
his  family  were  restored  to  ease  and  to  in- 
dependence. Ah  !  had  this  but  have  hap- 
pened in  time  to  save  a  life  far  dearer  than 
nis  o  »vn !  The  reflection  was  too  painful. 
The  idea,  ho\yeyer,  of  giving  joy  to  his  aged 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  187 

parents,  hastened  his  departure.  Furnished 
with  proper  documents  and  credentials  from 
Franklin,  his  benefactor,  ke  took  leave  of 
him,  with  the  warmest  expressions  of  grati- 
tude, as  also  of  Mr.  Grafton,  and  sailed  for 
Savannah,  where  he  arrived  in  about  eight 
weeks. 

Intent  on  his  purpose,  he  immediately 
purchased  a  carriage  and  proceeded  on  for 
Philadelphia.  As  he  approached  Charles- 
ton, his  bosom  swelled  with  mournful  recol- 
lections. He  arrived  in  that  city  in  the  af- 
ternoon, and  at  evening  he  walked  out,  and 
entered  a  little  ale  house,  which  stood  near 
the  iarge  burial  ground.  An  elderly  woman 
and  two  small  children  were  the  only  per- 
sons in  the  house,  except  himself.  After 
calling  for  a  pint  of  ale,  he  enquired  of  the 

old  lady,  if  Col  D ,  (Melissa's  uncle) 

did  not  live  near  the  city.  She  informed 
him  that  he  resided  about  a  mile  from  the 
town,  where  he  had  an  elegant  seat,  and 
that  he  was  very  rich. 

"  Was  there  not  a  young  lady,  asked  A- 
lonzo,  who  died  there  about  eighteen 
months  ago  ?" 

"  La  me  !  said  she,  did  you  know  her  ? 
Yes  r,  and  a  sweeter  or  more  handsome  la- 
dy the  sun  never  shined  on.  And  then  she 
was  so  good,  so  patient  in  her  sickness. — 
Poer,  dear  distretBed  j*irl,  she  pined  away 


188  ALONZO   AND.  MELISSA. 

to  skin  and  bones  before  she  died.  She 
was  not  Col.  D 's  daughter,  only  some- 
how related:  she  came  here  in  hopes  that 
a  change  of  air  might  do  her  good.  She 
came  from — la  me!  I  cannot  think  of  the 
irame  of  the  place;  it  is  a  crabbed  name 
thought 

"  Connecticut,  was  it  not ?"  said  Alonzo. 

"  0  yes,  that  was  it,  repl-ied  she-  Dear 
roe !  then  you  knew  her,  did  you,  sir  ? — 
Well,  we  have  not  her  like  left  in  Charles- 
ton, that  we  han't; — and  then  there  was 
such  ado  at  her  funeral ;  five  hundred  peo- 
ple, I  dare  say,  with  eight  young  ladies  for 
pall-bearers,  all  dressed  in  white,  with  black 
ribbons,  and  all  the  bells  tolling." 

"  Where  was  she  buried?"  enquired  A- 
lonzo. 

"  In  the  church-yard  right  before  our 
door,  she  answered.  My  husband  is  the 
sexton  ;  he  put  up  her  large  white  marble 

tomb-stones; they  are  the  largest  and 

whitest  in  the  whole  burying-ground ;  and 
so,  indeed,  they  ought  to  be,  for  never  was 
there  a  person  who  deserved  them  more." 

Tired  with  the  old  woman's  garrulity, 
and  with  a  bosom  bursting  with  anguish, 
Alonzo  paid  for  his  ale  without  drinking  it, 
bade  her  good  night,  and  slowly  proceeded 
to  the  church-yard.  The  moon,  in  full  lus- 
tre, shone  with  solemn,  silvery  ray,  on  the 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  189 

sacred  piles,  and  funeral  monuments  of  the 
sacred  dead;  the  wind  murmured  mourn- 
fully among  fhe  weeping  willows;  a  solita- 
ry nightingale*  sang  plaintively  in  the  dis- 
tant forest ;  and  a  whippoorwill,  Melissa's 
favourite  bird,  whistled  near  the  portico  of 
the  ehurch.  The  large  white  tomb-stones 
soon  caught  the  eye  of  Aloiizo.  He  ap- 
proashed  them  with  tremulous  step,  and 
with  feelings  too  agitated  for  description 
Cn  the  head-stone  he  read  as  follows: 
SACRED 

To  the  Memory  of  inestimable  departed 
WORTH; 

To  unrivalled  Excellence  and  Virtue. 
Miss  MELISSA  D , 

Whose  remains  are  deposited  here,  ard 

whose  ethereal  part  became  a  seraph, 

October  26,  1776, 
In  the  18th  year  of  her  age. 

Alonzo  bent,  kneeled,  he  prostrated  him- 
self, he  clasped  the  greea  turf  which  enclo- 
sed her  grave,  he  watered  it  with  his  tears, 
he  warmed  it  with  his  sighs.  "Where  art 
thou,  bright  beam  of  heavenly  light!  he 
said.  Come  to  rrvy  troubled  soul,  blessed 
spirit !  Come,  holy  shade !  come  in  all 
thy  native  loveliness,  and  cheer  the  bosom 


*This  bird,  though  not  an  inhabitant  of  the  northe-n  states,  u 
frequently  to  be  aoot  with  in  Georgia  and  the  Carolina*. 


190  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

of  wretchedness,  by  thy  grief  dispersing 
smile !  On  the  ray  of  yon  evening  st'ir  de- 
scend. One  moment  leave  the  celestial 
regions  of  glory — leave,  one  moment,  thy 
sisler  beatitudes,  and  glide,  ii\  entrancing 
beauty,  before  me:  wave,  benignly  ivave 
thy  white  hand,  and  assuage  the  anguish  of 
despairing  sorrow!  Alas!  in  vain  my  in- 
vocation !  A  cu-rtain,  impenetrable,  is  drawn 
betwixt  me  and  thee,  only  to  be,  disclosed 
by  the  dissolution  of  nature." 

He  arose  and  walked  away :  suddenly  he 
stopped.  "Yet.  said  he,  if  spirits  depart- 
ed lose  not  the  power  of  recollection  ; — if 
they  have  knowledge  of  present  evehts  on 
earth,  Melissa  cannot  have  forgotten  me — 
she  must  pity  mo."  He  returned  to  thjg 
grave;  he  took  her  miniature  from  his  bo- 
som ;  he  held  it  up,  and  earnestly  viewed 
it  by  me  moon's  pale  ray. 

"Ah,  Franklin  !  he  exclaimed,  how  ten- 
derly does  she  beam  her  lovely  eye  upon 
me !  How  often  have  I  drank  delicious  exr 
tacy  from  the  delicacy  of  those  unrivalled 
charms!  How  often  have  they  taught  me 
to  anticipate  superlative  and  uninterrupted 
Hiss !  Mistake:*  and  delusive  hope !  [rc- 
iwrning  the  miniature  to  his  bosom.}  Vain 
and  presumptous  assurance.  Then  [  poin- 
ting to  the  grave]  there  behold  how  my 
dearest  wishes,  my  fondest  expectations  are 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  191 

realized ! Hallowed  turf!  lie  lightly  on 

her  bosom  ! — Sacred  willows  !  sprinkle  the 
dews  gently  over  her  grave,  while  the  mour- 
ning breezes  sigh  sadly  amid  your  branches! 
Here  may  the  "widowed  wild  rose  love  to 
bloom!"  Here  may  the  first  placid  beams 
of  morni-ng  delight  to  linger  ;  from  hence, 
the  evening  ray  reluctantly  withdraw! — 
And  when  the  final  trump  shall  renovate 
and  arouse  the  sleeping  saint; — when  on 
"buoyant  step"  she  soars  to  glory,  may  our 
meeting  spirits  join  in  beatifick  transport ! 
May  my  enraptured  ear  catch  the  first  ho- 
ly whisper  of  her  consecrated  lips." 

Alonzo  having  thus  poured  out  the  effu- 
sions of  an  overcharged  heart,  pensively  re- 
turned to  the  inn,  which  he  entered  and 
seated  himself  in  the  common  room,  in  deep 
contemplation.  As  usual  at  public  inns,  a 
number  of  people  were  in  the  room,  among 
whom  were  several  officers  of  the  Ameri- 
can army.  Alonzo  was  too  deeply  absorb- 
ed in  melancholy  reflection,  to  notice  pass- 
ing incidents,  until  a  young  officer  came, 
seated  himself  by  him,  and  enteied  into 
conversation  respecting  the  events  of  the. 
war.  He  appeared  to  be  about  Alonzo's 
age;  his  person  was  interesting,  his  man- 
ners sprightly,  his  observations  correct. — 
\lonzo  was,  in  some  degiee,  aroused  from 
his  abstractedness; — the  manners  of  the 


192  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

stranger  pleased  him.  His  frankness,  his 
ease,  his  understanding,  his  urbanity,  void 
of  vanity  or  sophistication,  sympathetically 
caught  the  feelings  of  Alonzo,  and  he  even 
felt  a  sort  of  solemn  regret  when  the  stran- 
ger departed.  He  soon  retired  to  bed,  de- 
termining to  proceed  early  in  the  morning. 

He  arose  about  daylight ;  the  horizon 
was  overcast,  and  it  had  begun  to  rain, 
which  before  sunrise  had  encreased  to  a  vi- 
olent storm.  He  found  therefore  that  he 
must  content  himself  to  stay  until  it  was 
over,  which  did  not  happen  till  near  night, 
and  too  late  to  pursue  his  journey.  He 
wa  informed  by  the  inn-keeper,  that  the 
theatre,  which  had  been  closed  since  the 
commencement  of  the  \>rar,  was  to  be  open- 
ed that  night  only,  with  'the  tragedy  of  Gus- 
tttvuSj  and  close  with  a  representation  of 
Burgoyne's  capture,  and  some  other  recent 
events  of  the  American  war.  To  "  wing 
the  hours  with  swifter  speed,"  Alonzo  de- 
termined to  go  to  the  theatre,  and  at  the 
hour  appointed  he  repaired  thither. 

As  he  was  proceeding  to  take  his  seat, 
he  passed  the  box  where  sat  the  young  offi- 
cer, whose  manners  had  so  prepossessed 
him  the  preceding  evening  at  the  inn.  He 
immediately  arose  :  they  exchanged  saluta- 
tions, and  Alonzo  walked  on  and  took  his 
seat.  The  evening  was  warm,  rajd  the 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  193 

house  exceedingly  crowded.  After  the  tra» 
gedy  was  through,  and  before  the  after- 
piece commenced,  the  young  officer  came 
to  Alonzo's  box,  and  made  some  remarks 
oa  the  merit  of  the  actors.  While  they 
were  discoursing,  a  bustle  took  place  in  one 
part  of  the  house,  r.nd  several  people  gath- 
ered around  a  box,  at  a  little  distance  from 
them.  The  officer  turned,  left  Alonzo,  and 
hastened  to  the  place.  To  the  general  en- 
quiry, "  what's  the  matter  ?w  it  was  answer- 
ed, that  "a  lady  had  fainted."  She  was 
led  out,  and  the  tumult  subsided. 

As  soon  as  the  after-piece  was  closed, 
Alonzo  returned  to  the  inn.  As  he  passed 
along  he  cast  his  eyes  toward  the  church- 
yard, where  lay  the  "  wither'd  blessings  of 
his  richest  joys.'™  Affection,  passion,  in- 
clination, urged  him  to  go  and  breathe  a 
farewell  sigh,  to  drop  a  final  tear  over  the 
grave  of  Melissa.  Discretion,  reason,  wis- 
dom forbade  it — forbade  that  he  re-pierce 
the  ten  thousand  wounds  of  his  bosom,  by 
the  acute  revival  of  unavailing  sorrows 
He  hurried  to  his  chamber. 

As  he  prepared  to  retire  to  rest,  he  saw 
a  book  lying  on  the  table  near  b's  bed.  On 
taking  it  up  he  found  it  to  be  Young's  Night 
Thoughts -,  a  book  which,  in  happier  days, 
had  boen  the  solaee  of  many  a  gloomy,  ma- 
ny a  lucid  hour.  He  took  *  up  and  the 
17  M 


194  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

first  lines  he  cast  his  eyes  upon  were  the 
following : 

"  Sons,  beauty,  youth,  love,  virtue,  joy:  this  group 

Of  bright  ideas— flowers  of  Paradise, 

As  yet  unforfeit !  in  one  blaze  we  bind. 

Kneel,  and  present  it  to  the  skies  ;  as  all 

We  guess  of  Heaven  !  And  these  were  all  her  own 

And  she  was  mine,  and  I  was — was  most  blest — 

Like  blossom'd  trees  o'erturn'd  by  vernal  storm, 

Lovely  in  death  the  beauteous  ruin  lay — 

Ye  that  e'er  lost  an  angel,  pity  me." 

His  tears  fell  fast  upon  the  book  !  He  re- 
placed it  and  flung  himself  into  bed.  Sleep 
was  far  from  him ;  he  closed  not  his  eyes 
till  the  portals  of  light  were  unbarred  in  the 
east,  when  he  fell  into  interrupted  slumbers. 

When  he  awoke,  the  morning  was  con- 
siderably advanced.  He  arose.  One  con- 
solation was  yet  left — to  see  his  parents 
happy.  He  went  down  to  order  his  car- 
riage ;  his  favourite  stranger,  the  young  offi- 
cer, was  in  waiting,  and  requested  a  private 
interview.  They  immediately  retired  to  a 
separate  room,  when  the  stranger  thus  ad- 
dressed Alonzo : 

"  From  our  short  acquaintance,  you  may, 
sir,  consider  it  singular  that  I  should  at- 
tempt to  scrutinize  your  private  concerns, 
and  more  extraordinary  you  may  esteem  it, 
when  I  inform  you  of  my  reasons  for  so  do- 
ing Judging,  however,  from  appearances, 
I  have  no  doubt  of  your  candour.  If  my 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  195 

questions  should  be  deemed  improper,  you 
will  tell  me  so." 

Alonzo  assured  him  he  would  treat  him 
candidly.  "  This  I  believe,  said  the  young 
officer ;  I  take  the  liberty  therefore  to  ask 
if  you  are  an  American  1" UI  am,"  an- 
swered Alonzo.  "  I  presume,  said  the  stran- 
ger— the  question  is  a  delicate  one — I  pre- 
sume your  family  is  respectable  1"  "  Sa- 
credly so,"  replied  Alonzo.  "  Are  you  mar- 
ried, sir  ?"  "  I  am  not,  and  have  ever 
been  single."  "  Have  you  any  prospects 
of  connecting  in  marriage  ?"  "  I  have  not, 
sir."  "  I  may  then  safely  proceed,  said  the 
stranger;  I  trust  you  will  hear  me  atten- 
tively ;  you  will  judge  maturely ;  you  will 
decide  correctly,  and  I  am  confident  that 
you  will  answer  me  sincerely. 

"A  young  lady  of  this  city,  with  whom  I 
am  well  acquainted,  and  to  whom,  indeed, 
I  am  distantly  related,  whose  father  is  af- 
fluent; whose  connections  are  eminently 
respectable,  whose  manners  are  engaging, 
whose  mind  is  virtue,  whose  elegance  of 
form  and  personal  beauty  defy  competition, 
is  the  cause,  sir,  of  this  mission. — Early  in 
troduced  into  the  higher  walks  of  life,  she 
has  passed  the  rounds  of  fashionable  compa- 
ny ;  numberless  suitors  sighed  for  her  hand, 
whom  she  complaisantly  dismissed  without 
disobliging,  as  her  heart  had  not  yet  been 


196  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

touched  by  the  tender  passion  of  love.  Sur- 
prising as  it  may,  however,  seem,  it  is  now 
about  six  months  since  she  saw  in  her  dream 
the  youth  who  possessed  the  power  to  in- 
spire her  with  this  passion.  In  her  dream 
she  saw  a  young  gentleman  whose  interest- 
ing manners  and  appearance,  impressed  her 
so  deeply  that  she  found  she  must  be  un~ 
happy  without  him.  She  thought  it  was  in 
a  mixed  company  she  saw  him,  but  that  she 
could  not  get  an  opportunity  to  speak  to 
bim.  It  seemed  that  if  she  could  but  speak 
with  him,  all  difficulties  would  at  once  here- 
moved.  At  length  he  approached  her,  and 
.'ust  ashe  was  about  to  address  her,  sfee  awoke. 

•'  This  extraordinary  dream  she  had  com- 
municated to  several  of  her  acquaintance. — 
Coafident  that  she  should  some  time  or 
ether  behold  the  real  person  whose  sem- 
blance she  had  seen  in  her  dream,  she  has 
never  since  been  perfectly  at  ease  in  her 
mind.  Her  father,  who  has  but  two  chil- 
dren, one  beside  herself,  being  dotingly  fond 
of  her,  has  promised  that  if  ever  she  insets 
this  unknown  stranger,  he  will  not  oppose 
their  uniow,  provided  he  is  respectable,  and 
that,  if  worthy  of  her  hand,  he  will  make 
him  independent. 

On  my  return  from  the  inn  the  evening 
I  first  saw  you,  I  told  my  sister — I  beg  par- 
don, sir — 1  was  wandering  from  my  sub- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  197 

ject— a.'ter  I  first  met  you  at  the  Jn&,  I  fell 
in  company  with  the  lady,  and  in  a  rallying 
way  told  her  that  1  had  seen  her  invisible 
feeaw,  as  we  used  to  call  the  gentleman  of 
the  dream.  I  superficially  described  you. 
person,  and  descanted  a  little  on  the  em- 
bellishments of  your  mind.  She  listened 
with  some  curiosity  and  attention ;  but  I 
had  so  often  jested  with  her  in  this  manner, 
that  she  thought  little  of  it.  At  the  play 
last  night,  I  had  just  been  speaking  to  her 
when  I  came  to  your  box  :  her  eyes  f  llow- 
ed  me,  but  no  sooner  had  they  rested  on 
you,  than  she  fainted !  This  was  the  cause 
of  my  leaving  5  ou  so  abruptly,  and  not  re- 
turning. We  conveyed  her  home,  when 
she  informed  me  that  you  was  the  person 
she  had  seen  in  her  dieam  ! 

"To  me  only,  she  preferred  disclosing  the 
circumstance  at  present,  for  reasons  which 
must  be  obvious  to  your  understanding.—- 
Even  her  father  and  mother  are  not  infci- 
med  of  it,  and  should  my  mission  prove  un- 
successful, none  except  you,  sir,  she  an<f 
myself,  I  hope  and  trust,  will  ever  know  any 
thing  of  the  matter. 

"  Now,  sir,  it  is  necessary  <br  me  farther 
to  explain.  As  singular  as  the  circumstan- 
ces which  I  have  related  may  appear  to 
you,  to  me  they  must  appear  as  strange.  — 
C.-ie  valuable  purpose  is,  however,  answer- 


198  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

ed  thereby ;  it  will  exclude  the  imputation 

of  capriciousness the  freakish  whim  of 

love  at  first  sight,  which  exists  only  in  nov- 
els and  romances.  You,  sir,  are  young, 
unmarried,  unaffianced,  your  affections  free  : 
such  is  the  condition  of  the  lady.  She  en- 
quires not  into  the  state  of  your  property  ! 
she  asks  not  riches : — If  she  obtains  the 
object  of  her  choice,  on  him,  as  I  have  told 

you,  will  her  father  bestow  affluence. 

Whatever,  sir,  may  be  your  pretensions  to 
eminence,  and  they  may  be  many,  the  lady 
is  not  your  inferior.  Her  education  also  is 
such  as  would  do  honour  to  a  gentleman  of 
taste. 

"I  will  not  extend  my  remarks;  you 
perfectly  understand  me — what  answer  shall 
.1  return?" 

Alonzo  sighed  :  for  a  few  moments  he 
was  silent. 

"  Perhaps,  said  the  stranger,  you  may 
consider  the  mode  of  this  message  as  bear- 
ing the  appearance  of  indecorum.  If  so,  I 
presume,  on  reviewing  the  incidents  which 
to — which  enforced  it,  as  the  most  safe,  the 
only  means  of  sure  communication,  you  will 
change  your  opinion.  Probably  you  would 
not  wish  finally  to  decide  until  you  have 
visited  the  lady.  This  was  my  expecta- 
tion, and  I  am,  therefore,  ready  to  intro- 
duce /  .u  to  her  presence." 


AfcONZO    AND    MELISSA.  199 

:<No,  sir,  said  Alonzo,  so  far  from  con- 
sidering the  message  indecorous,  I  esteem  it 
a  peculiar  honour,  both  as  respects  the  lady 
and  yourself.  Nor  is  it  necessary  that  I 
should  visit  the  lady,  to  confirm  the  truth 
of  what  you:  have  related.  You  will  not, 
sir,  receive  it  as  an  adulatory  compliment, 
when  I  say,  that  although  our  acquaintance 
is  short,  yet  my  confidence  in  your  integri- 
ty ;s  such  as  to  require  no  corroborating 
facts  to  establish  your  declaration.  But, 
sir,  there  are  obstacles,  insuperable  obsta- 
cles, to  the  execution  of  the  measures  you 
would  propose. 

"Ycur  frankness  to  me,  demands,  on  my 
part,  equal  candour.  I  assured  you  that  I 
was  unmarried,  and  had  no  prospect  of  en- 
uring into  matrimonial  engagements ,  this 
is  indeed  the  fact:  but  it  is  also  true  that 
my  aifections — my  first,  my  earliest  affec- 
tions were  engaged,  unalienably  engaged,  to 
an  object  which  is  now  no  more.  Perhaps 
you  may  esteem  it  singular;  peahaps  you 
will  consider  it  enthusiasm  ;  but,  sir,  it  is 
impossible  that  my  heart  should  admit  a 
second  ;,nd  similar  impression." 

T'he  stranger  paused.  ''Recent  disap- 
poin+ments  of  this  nature,  he  replied,  com- 
monly leave  th^  mind  under  such  gloomy 
influences.  Time,  however,  thfi  soother  of 
severest  woes,  will,  thongfe  slowly,  yet 


200  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

surely,  disperse  the  clouds  of  anguish,  and 
the  rays  of  comfort  and  consolation  will 
beam  upon  the  soul.  I  wish  not  to  be  con- 
sidered importunate,  but  the  day  may  ar- 
rive when  you  may  change  your  present  de- 
termination, and  then  will  you  not  regret 
that  you  refused  so  advantageous  an  over- 
ture ?" 

"That  day  will  never  arrive,  sir  answer- 
ed Alonzo :  I  have  had  time  for  deliberate 
reflection  since  the  melancholy  event  took 
place.  I  have  experienced  a  sufficient 
change  of  objects  and  country  ;  the  effect 
is  the  same.  The  wound  is  still  recent, 
and  so  it  will  ever  remain  :  indeed  I  can- 
not wish  it  otherwise.  There  is  a  rich  and 
sacred  solemnity  in  my  sorrows,  sir, which 
I  would  not  exchange  for  the  most  splendid 
acquirements  of  wealth,  or  the  most  digni- 
fied titles  of  fame." 

The  young  officer  sat  for  some  time  si- 
lent. "Well,  sir,  he  said,  since  it  is  thus, 
seeing  that  these  things  are  so,  I  will  urge 
you  no  farther.  You  will  pardon  me  res- 
pecting the  part  I  have  taken  in  this  busi- 
ness, since  it  was  with  the  purest  designs. 
May  consolation,  comfort,  and  happiness, 
yet  he  yours." 

"To  you  and  your  fair  friend,  said  Alon- 
zo, I  consider  myself  under  the  highest  ob- 
ligations. The  gratitude  I  feel  I  can  but 


ALONZO    ANfc    MELISSA.  201 

feebly  express.  Believe  me>  sir,  wher  I 
teJi  you,  (and  it  is  all  I  can  say,)  that  your 
ingenuous  conduct  has  left  impressions  in  my 
bosom  which  can  never  be  obliterated  " 

The  stranger  held  out  his  hand,  which 
Alonzo  ardently  grasped.  They  were  si- 
lent, but  their  eyes  spoke  sympathy,  and 
they  parted 

Alonzo  immediately  prepared,  and  was 
soon  ready  to  depart.  As  he  was  stepping 
into  his  carriage,  he  saw  the  young  officer 
returning.  As  jie  carne  up,  "I  must1  detai/i 
you  a  few  moments  longer,  he  said,  and  I 
will  give  you  no  farther  trouble.  You  will 
recollect  thai  the  lady  about  whom  I  have 
so  much  teazed  you,  when  she  became  ac- 
quainted with  you  in  her  dream,  believed 
that  if  she  could  speak  with  you,  all  diffi- 
culties would  be  removed.  Conscious  that 
this  may  be  the  case,  (for  with  all  her  ac- 
complishments she  is  a  little  superstitious,) 
she  desires  to  see  you.  You  have  nothing 
to  fear,  sir;  she  would  not  for  the  world 
yield  you  her  hand,  unless  in  return  you 
cculd  give  her  your  heart.  Nor  was  she 
willing  you  should  know  that  she  made  this 
request,  but  wished  me  fo  intr&tiiace  you, 
as  it  were  by  stratagem.  Confident,  how- 
ever, that  you  would  thus  far  yield  to  the 
caprice  of  a  lady,  I  chose  to  tell  you  the 


202  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

truth.  She  resides  near  by,  and  it  will  not 
hinder  you  long." 

"  It  is  capriciousness  in  the  extreme," 
thought  Alonzo ;  but  he  told  the  stranger 
he  would  accompany  him — who  immediate- 
ly stepped  into  the  carriage,  and  they 
drove,  by  his  direction,  to  an  elegant  house 
in  a  street  at  a  little  distance,  and  alight- 
ed. As  they  entered  the  house,  a  servant 
handed  the  stranger  a  note,  which  he  hasti- 
ly looked  over :  "  Tell  the  gentleman  I  will 
wait  on  him  in  a  moment,"  said  he  to  the 
servant,  who  instantly  withdrew.  Turning 
to  Alonzo,  "  a  person  is  in  waiting,  said  he, 
on  urgent  business ;  excuse  me,  therefore, 
if  it  is  with  reluctance  I  retire  a  few  mo- 
ments, after  I  have  announced  you  ;  I  will 
soon  again  be  with  you." 

They  then  ascended  a  flight  of  stairs  :  the 
stranger  opened  the  door  of  a  chamber — 
"  The  gentleman  I  mentioned  to  you  mad- 
am," he  said.  Alonzo  entered  ;  the  stran- 
ger closed  the  door  and  retired.  The  laiy 
;vas  sitting  by  a  window  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  room,  but  arose  as  Alonzo  was  announc- 
ed. She  was  dressed  in  sky-blue  silk,  em- 
broidered with  spangled  lace  ;  a  gemmed 
tiara  gathered  her  hair,  from  which  was 
suspended  a  green  veil,  according  to  the 
mode  of  those  times ;  a  silken  girdle,  with 
diamond  clasps,  surrounded  her  waist,  and 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  203 

a  brilliant  sparkled  upon  her  bosom,  "The 
sti  anger '«  Description  was  not  exaggerated, 
thought  Alonzo;  for,  except  one,  I  have 
never  seen  a  more  elegant  figure  :"  and  he 
almost  wished  the  veil  removed,  that  he 
might  behold  her  features. 

"You  will  please  to  be  seated,  sir?  shs 
said.  I  know  not  how — I  feel  an  incon- 
ceivable diffidence  in  making  an  excuse  for 
the  inconveniences  my  silly  caprices  have 
given  you." 

Enchanting  melody  was  in  her  voice! 
Alonzo  knew  not  why,  but  it  thrilled  his 
bosom,  electrified  his  soul,  and  vibrated  ev- 
ery nerve  of  his  heart.  Confused  and  hur- 
ried sensations,  melancholy,  yet  pleasing ; 
transporting  as  the  recurrence  of  youthfu) 
joys,  enrapturing  as  dreams  of  early  child- 
hood, passed  in  rapid  succession  over  his 
imagination ! 

She  advanced  towards  him  and  turned 
aside  her  veil.  Her  eyes  were  suffused,  and 
tears  streamed  down  her  cheeks. — Alonzo 
started — his  whole  frame  shook — he  gasped 

for  breath  ! "  Melissa !  he  convulsively 

exclaimed, — God  of  infinite  wonders,  it  is 
Melissa!" 

Again  will  the  incidents  'of  our  history 
produce  a  pause.  Our  sentimental  readers 
will  experience  a  recurrence  of  sympathet- 
ic sensibilities,  and  will  attend  more  ea 


204  ALONZO   AND   MELISSA, 

gerly  to  the  final  scene  of  our  drama. 

"  Melissa  alive !"  may  they  say — "  impossi- 
ble !  Did  not  Alonzo  see  her  death  in  the 
public  prints?  Did  not  her  cousin  at  !New- 
London  inform  him  of  the  circumstances,, 
and  was  he  not  in  mourning  ?  Did  not  the 
dying  Beauman  confirm  the  melancholy 
fact?  And  was  not  the  unquestionable  tes- 
timony of  her  brother  Edgar  sufficient  to 
seal  the  truth  of  all  this  ?  Did  not  the  sex- 
ton's  wife  who  knew  not  Alonzo,  corrobo- 
rate it?  And  did  not  Alonzo  finally  read 
her  name,  her  age,  and  the  time  of  her 
death,  on  her  tomb-stone,  which  exactly 
accorded  with  the  publication  of  her  death 
in  the  papers,  and  his  own  knowledge  of 
her  age  ?  And  is  not  this  sufficient  to 
prove,  clearly  and  incontestibly  prove,  that 
she  is  dead?  And  yet  here  she  is  again, 
in  all  her  primitive  beauty  and  splendour  ! 
TSo,  this  surely  can  never  be.  However 
the  author  may  succeed  in  his  description, 
»n  painting  reanimated  nature,  he  is  no  ma- 
gician, or  if  he  is,  he  cannot  raise  the 
dead. 

"  Melissa  has  long  since  mouldered  into 
dust5  and  he  has  raised  up  some  female 
Martin  Guerre,  or  Thomas  Hoag — some 
person,  from  whose  Dear  resemblance  to 
the  deceased,  he  thinks  to  impose  upon  us 
and  upon.  Alonzo  also,  for  Melissa.  But  it 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  205 

will  not  do ;  it  must  be  the  identical  Me- 
lissa herself,  or  it  might  as  well  be  heir 
likeness  in  a  marble  statue.  What !  caj 
Alonzo  realize  the  delicacies,  the  tender 
ness,  the  blandishments  of  Melissa  in 
another  7  Can  her  substitute  point  him  to 
Jie  rock  on  New  London  beach,  the  bower 
en  her  favourite  hill,  or  so  feelingly  describe 
the  charms  of  nature  1  Can  he,  indeed, 
find  in  her  representative  those  alluring 
graces,  that  pensive  sweetness,  those  unri- 
valled virtues  and  matchless  worth  which 
he  found  in  Melissa,  and  which  attracted, 
fixed  and  secured  the  youngest  affections 

of  his  soul  ?     Impossible  ! Or  could  the 

author  even  make  it  out  that  Alonzo  was 
deceived  by  a  person  so  nearly  resembling 
Melissa  that  he  could  not  distinguish  the 
difference,  yet  to  his  readers  he  must  un- 
veil the  deception,  and,  of  course,  the  story 
will  end  in  disappointment ;  it  will  leave 
an  unpleasant  and  disagreeable  impression 
on  the  mind  of  the  reader,  which  in  novel 
writing  is  certainly  wrong.  It  is  provec" 
as  clearly  as  facts  can  prove,  that  he  hav 
suffered  Melissa  to  die ;  and  since  she  is 
dead,  it  is  totally  beyond  his  power  to 

bring  her  to  life and  so  his  history  is 

intrinsically  good  for  nothing. 

Be  not  quite  so  hasty,  my  zealous  censor.  " 
Did  we  not  tell  you  that  we  were  detailing 
18 


206  ALONZO  AND  MEI  ISSA. 

facts  ?  Shall  we  disguise  or  discolour  trutl 
to  please  your  taste  1  Have  we  not  tolt 
you  that  disappointments  are  the  lot  of  life  ^ 
Have  we  not,  according  to  the  advice  of 
ihe  moralist,  led  Alonzo  to  the  temple  of 
philosophy,  the  shrine  of  reason,  and  the 
sanctuary  of  religion  ?  If  all  these  fail — if  in 
these  Alonzo  cannot  find  a  balsam  sufficienl 
to  heal  his  wounded  bosom  ;  then  if,  in  des 
pite  of  graves  and  tomb-stones,  Melissa  \yill 
come  to  his  relief — will  pour  the  balm  ot 
consolation  over  his  anguished  soul,  cynical 
critic,  can  the  author  help  it? 

It  was  indeed  Melissa,  the  identical  Me- 
lissa, whom  Alonzo  ascended  a  tree  to  catch 
a  last  glimpse  of,  as  she  walked  up  the  ave- 
nue to  the  old  mansion,  after  they  had  part- 
ed at  the  draw-bridge,  on  the  morning  of 
the  day  when  she  was  so  mysteriously  re- 
moved. "Melissa!" "Alonzo!" 

were  all  they  could  articulate :  and  frown 
not,  my  fair  readers,  if  we  tell  you  that  she 
was  instantly  in  his  arms,  while  he  pressed 
his  ardent  lips  to  her  glowing  cheek.  ' 

Sneer  not,  ye  callous  hearted  insensibles, 
ye  fastidious  prudes,  if  we  inform  you  that 
their  tears  fell  in  one  intermingling  shower, 
that  their  sighs  wafted  in  one  blended  breeze. 

The  sudden  opening  of  the  door  aroused 
them  to  a  sense  of  their  improper  situa- 
ion  ;  for  who  but  must  consider  it  impni- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  207 

•  M*  Vi  find  a  foung  lady  locked  in  the  arms 
01  a  gentleman  to  whom  she  had  just  been 
mtru iuced  ?  The  opening  of  the  door, 
therefore,  -caused  them  quickly  to  change 
their  position  ;  not  so  hastily,  however,  but 
that  the  young  officer  who  then  entered  the 

room  had  a  glimpse  of  their  situation. • 

"  Aha !  said  he,  havre  I  caught  you  ?  Is  my 
philosophic  Plato  so  soon  metamorphosed 
to  a  bo?i  ton  enamarato  ?  But  a  few  hours 
ago,  sir,  and  you  were  proof  against  the 
\vhol-e  arcana  of  beauty,  and  all  the  artille- 
ry of  the  graces ;  but  no  sooner  are  you  for 
one  moment  tete  a  tete  with  a  fashionable 
belle,  than  your  heroism  and  your  resolu- 
*ions  are  vanquished,  your  former  ties  dis- 
solved, and  your  deceased  charmer  totally 
forgotten  or  neglected,  by  the  virtue  of  a 
single  glance.  Well,  so  it  is  :  Amor  mncit 
omnia  is  my  motto ;  to  thee  all  conquering 
beauty,  our  firmest  determinations  must 
bow,  I  cannot  censure  you  for  discovering, 
though  late,  that  one  living  object  is  really 
of  more  intrinsic  value  than  two  dead  ones, 
indeed,  sir,  I  cannot  but  applaud  your  de- 
termination." 

"  The  laws  of  honour,  said  Alonzo,  smil- 
ing, compel  me  to  submit  to  become  the  sub- 
ject of  your  raillery  and  deception ;  I  am 
in  your  power." 

"  I  acknowledge,  said  the  officer,  that  I 


208  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

have  a  little  deceived  you,  my  story  was 
fiction  founded  on  truth — the  novel  style  : 
but  for  the  deceptive  part,  you  may  thank 
your  little  gipsey  of  a  nymph  there,  point- 
pg  to  Melissa  ;  she  planned  and  I  execut- 
ed." 

"  How  ready  you  gentleman  are,  replied 
Melissa,  when  accused  of  impropriety,  to 
cast  the  blame  on  the  defenceless!  So  it 
was  with  our  first  parents,  and  so  it  is  still. 
But  you  must  remember  that  Alonzo  is  yet 
to  hear  my  story  ;  there,  sir,  I  have  the  ad- 
vantage of  you." 

"  Then  I  confess,  said  he,  looking  at  A- 
lonzo,  you  will  be  too  hard  for  me,  and  so 
I  will  say  no  more  about  it." 

Melissa  then  introduced  the  young  officer 
to  Alonzo,  by  the  appellation  of  Capt.  Wil- 
mot.  "  He  is  the  son  of  my  deceased  un- 
cie,  said  she,  a  cousin  to  whom  I  am  much 
indebted,  as  you  shall  hereafter  know." 

1  coach  drove  up  to  the  door,  which 
Melissa  informed  Alonzo  was  her  uncle's, 
and  was  sent  to  convey  Alfred  and  her  home. 
'*  You  will  have  no  objection  to  breakfast 
with  me  at  my  uncle's,  said  Alfred,  if  it  be 
only  to  keep  our  cousin  Melissa  in  counte- 
nance. 

Alonzo  did  not  hesitate  to  accept  the  invi- 
tation :  They  immediately  therefore  enter- 
ed the  coach,  a  servant  took  care  of  Alon- 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  20& 

zo's  carriage,  and  they  drove  to  the  seat  of 

CoL  D ,  who>  with  his  family,  received 

.Alonzo  with  much  friendship  and  poHtfr- 
ness.  Alfred  had  apprized  them  of  Aloii- 
zo's  arrival  in  towny  and  of  course  he  waa 
expected. 

Col.  D was  about  fifty  years  old,  his 

manners  were  majestically  grave  and  com- 
manding, yet  polished  and  polite.  His  fam- 
ily consisted  of  an  amiable  wife,  considera- 
bly younger  than  himself,  and  three  chil- 
dren ;  the  eldest  son,  about  ten  years  of  age, 
and  two  daughteis,  one  seven,  the  otliet 
four  years  old.  Harmony  and  cheerfulness 
.  reigned  in  his  family,  which  diffused  tran- 
quillity and  ease  to  its  members  and  its 
guests. 

It  was  agreed  that  Alonzo  should  pass  ?. 
few  days  at  the  house  of  Melissa's  uncle 
when  Melissa  was  to  accompany  him  to 
Connecticut.  Alfred,  with  some  other  offi- 
cers., was  recruiting  for  the  army,  where 
his  regiment  then  lay,  and  which  he  was 
shortly  to  join.  He  could  not,  therefore, 
be  constantly  at  his  uncle's,  though  he  was 
principally  there  while  Aionzo  staid  :  but 
being  absent  the  day  after  his  arrival,  Me- 
lissa and  Alonzo  having  retired  to  a  room 
separate  from  the  family,  she  gave  him  the 
following  accourt  of  what,  happened  afte* 
they  had  parted  at  the  old  mansion. 
18*  N 


210  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

u  The  morning  after  you  left  me,  she  said< 
John  came  to  the  bridge  and  called  to  be 
let  in  : — I  immediately  went  to  the  gate, 
opened  it,  and  let  down  the  bridge.  John 
informed  me  that  my  aunt  had  suddenly 
and  unexpectedly  arrived  that  morning  in 
company  with  a  strange  gentleman,  and 
that  he  had  come  for  the  keys,  as  my  aunt 
was  to  visit  the  mansion  that  day.  I  strove 
to  persuade  John  to  leave  the  keys  in  my 
possession,  and  that  I  would  make  all  easy 
with  my  aunt  when  she  arrived.  This, 
though  with  much  reluctance,  he  at  length 
consented  to,  and  departed.  Soon  after 
this  my  aunt  came,  and  without  much  cere- 
mony demanded  the  keys,  insinuating  that 
I  had  obtained  them  from  John  by  impost 
tion,  and  for  the  basest  purposes.  This  a- 
roused  me  to  indignation,  and  I  answered 
by  informing  her  that  whatever  purposes 
the  persecutson  and  cruelty  of  my  family 
had  compelled  me  to  adopt,  my  conscience, 
Under  present  circumstances  approved  them, 
and  I  refused  to  give  her  the  keys.  She 
then  ordered  me  to  prepare  to  leave  the 
mansion,  and  accompany  her  to  her  resi- 
dence at  the  house  of  John.  I  told  her  that 
I  had  been  placed  there  by  my  father,  and 
should  not  consent  to  a  removal  unless  by 
his  express  orders.  She  then  left  me,  inti- 
mating that  she  would  soon  let  me  know 


ALCNZO    AND    MET  ISSA.  211 

that  her  authority  was  not  to  be  thus  tramp- 
led upon  with  impunity. 

•'  I  immediately  raised  the  bridge,  and 
made  fast  the  gate,  determining,  on  no  con 
siderations,  to  suffer  it  to  be  opened  until 
evening.  The  day  passed  away  without 
any  occurrence  worthy  of  note,  and  as  soon 
as  it  was  dark,  I  went,  opened  the  gate, 
and  cautiously  let  down  the  bridge.  I  then 
returned  to  the  mansion,  and  placed  the 
candle,  as  we  had  concerted,  at  the  win- 
dow. Shortly  after  I  heard  a  carriage  roll 
over  the  bridge  and  proceed  upathe  avenue. 
— My  heart  fluttered;  I  wished — I  hardly 
knew  what  I  did  wish;  but  I  feared  I  was 
about  to  act  improperly,  as  I  had  no  other 
idea  but  that  it  was  you,  Alonzo,  who  was 
approaching.  The  carriage  stopped  near 
the  door  of  the  mansion  ;  a  footstep  ascend- 
ed the  stairs.  Judge  of  my  surprise  and 
agitation,  when  my  father  entered  the  cham- 
ber !  A  maid  and  two  men  servants  follow- 
ed him.  He  directed  me  to  make  imme- 
diate preparations  for  leaving  the  mansion — - 
which  commaLd,  with  the  assistance  of  the 
servants,  I  obeyed  with  a  heart  too  full  foi 
utterance. 

"  As  soon  as  I  was  ready,  we  entered  tha 
carriage,  which  drove  rapidly  away.  As 
we  passed  out  of  the  gate,  I  looked  back  at 
the  mansion,  and  saw  the  light  of  the  can- 


212  ALONZO    AND   MELISSA. 

^le,  which  I  had  forgotten  to  remove,  stream- 
ing from  the  window,  and  it  was  by  an  ex- 
traordinary effort  that  I  prevented  myself 
from  fainting. 

"  The  carriage  drove,  as  near  as  I  could 
judge.  a*/out  ten  miles,  when  we  stopped  at 
an  inn  for  the  night,  except  my  father,  who 
returned  home  on  horseback,  leaving  me  at 
the  inn  in  company  with  the  servants,  where 
the  carriage  also  remained.  The  maid  was 
a  person  who  had  been  attached  to  me  from 
my  infancy.  I  asked  her  whether  she  could 
explain  these  mysterious  proceedings. 

"  All  I  know,  Miss,  I  will  tell  you,  said 
she.  Your  father  received  a  letter  to-day 
from  your  aunt,  which  put  him  in  a  terri- 
ble flutter  : — he  immediately  ordered  his 
carriage  and  directed  us  to. attend  him.  He 
met  your  aunt  at  a  tavern  somewhere  a- 
way  back,  and  she  told  him  that  the  gen- 
tleman who  used  to  come  to  our  house  so 
much  once,  hajl  contrived  to  carry  you  off 
from  the  place  where  you  lived  with  her; 
so  your  father  concluded  to  send  you  to 
your  uncle's  in  Carolina,  and  said  that  I 
must  go  with  you.  And  to  tell  you  the 
truth,  Miss,  I  was  not  displeased  with  it ; 
for  your  father  has  grown  so  sour  of  late, 
that  we  have  little  peace  in  the  house." 

"By  this  I  found  that  my  fate  was  fixed, 
and  I  gave  myself  up  for  some  time  to  una 


AI.ONZO    AND    MELISSA.  21.J 

sorrow.  The  maid  informed  ine 
that  my  mother  was  well,  which  was  one 
sweet  consolation  among  my  many  troubles  ; 
but  she  knew  nothing  of  my  father's  late 
conduct. 

"The  nex*  morning  we  proceeded,  and  I 
was  hurried  on  bv  rapid  stages  to  the  Ches- 
apeak,  where,  with  the  maid  and  one  man 
servant,  I  was  pui  on  board  a  packet  for 
Charleston,  at  which  place  we  arrived  in 
due  time 

"My  uncle  and  his  family  received  me 
with  much  tenderness :  the  servant  deliver- 
ed a  package  of  letters  to  my  uncle  from 
ray  father.  The  carriage  with  one  servant 
(the  driver)  had  returned  from  thfc  Chasa- 
pp.ak  to  Connecticut 

"My  father  had  but  one  brother  and  two 
sisters,  or  which  my  uncle  here  is  the  young- 
est- 0«e  of  my  aunts,  the  old  maid,  who 
was  my  protectress  at  tho  old  mansion,  you 
have  seen  at  my  father's.  The  other  was 
the  mother  of  Alfred  : — she  married  very 
young,  to  a  gentleman  in  Hartford,  of  the 
name  of  Wilmot,  who  fell  before  the  walls 
of  Louisburg-,  ia  the  old  French  war.  My 
aunt  did  not  long  survive  h;m ; — her  heaHh, 
which  had  been  for  some  time  declining, 
received  so  serious  a  shock  by  this  catastro- 
phe, that  she  dia.d  a  few  months  after  tha 
melancholy  tidings  arrived  leaving  Alfred, 


214  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

their  only  child  then  an  infant,  to  the  pro- 
tection of  his  relations,  who  as  soon  as  he  ar- 
rived at  a  suitable  age,  placed  him  at  school. 
"My  grandfather,  who  had  the  principal 
management  of  Mr.  Wilmot's  estate,  sent 
my  uncle,  who  was  then  young  and  unmar 
ried,  to  Hartford,  for  the  purpose  of  trans- 
acting tf*e  necessary  business.  Here  he 
became  lUiquainted  with  a  young  lady,  emi- 
nent /or  beauty  and  loveliness,  but  without 
fortune,  the  daughter  of  a  poor  mechanic, 
As  soon  as  my  grandfather  was  informed 
3f  this  attachment,  he,  in  a  very  peremp- 
tory manner,  ordered  my  uncle  to  break 
off  the  connection  on  pain  of  his  highest 
displeasure.  But  such  is  the  force  of  early 
impressions,  (Melissa  sighed)  that  my  imcle 
found  it  impossible  to  submit  to  these  firm 
injunctions;  a  clandestine  marriage  ensued, 
and  my  grandfather's  maledictions  in  con- 
sequence.  The  union  was,  however,  soon 
dissolved;  my  uncle's  wife  died  in  about 
twelve  months  after  their  marriage,  anJ 
soon  after  the  birth  of  the  first  child,  which 
v/as  a  daughter.  Inconsolable  and  comfort- 
less, my  uncle  put  the  child  out  to  nurse, 
and  travelled  to  the  south.  After  wunder- 
ing  about  for  some  time,  he  took  up  his  re- 
sidence in  Charleston,  where  he  amassed  a 
splendid  fortune.  He  finally  married  to  an 
amiable  and  respectable  woman,  whose  ten- 


ALONZO    AND   MELISSA,  2i5 

derness,  though  it  did  not  entirely  remove, 
yet  greatly  alleviated  the  pangs  of  .early 
sorrow ;  and  this,  added  to  the  iitti^  blan 
dish  merits  of  a  young  family,  fixed  him  in  a 
state  of  more  contentedness  than  he  once 
ever  expected  to  see, 

'•His  daughter  by  his  first  wife,  when 
she  became  of  pioper  age,  was  sent  to  a  re- 
spectable boarding-school  in  Boston,  wnere 
she  remained  until  within  about  two  years 
before  I  came  here. 

"  Alfred  was  educated  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege :  as  soon  as  he  had  graduated,  he  earne 
here  on  ray  uncle's  request,  and  has  since 
remained  in  his  famity. 

"  Soon  after  I  arrived  here;  my  uncle 
came  into  my  chamber  one  day  "  Melissa 
sa]d  he,  I  find  by  your  father's  letters  tha 
he  considers  you  to  have  formed  an  impro- 
per connection.  I  wish  you  to  give  me  a 
true  statement  of  the  matter,  and  if  any 
thing  can  be  done  to  reconcile  you  to  your 
father,  you  may  depend  upon  my  assist- 
ance. I  have  seen  some  troubles  in  this 
way  myseif,  in  my  early  days;  perhaps  my 
counsel  may  be  of  some  serviee<?> 

u  I  immediately  gave  a  correct  account 
of  every  particular  circumstance,  f;  o.in  the 
time  of  my  first  acquaintance  with  *yoi  un- 
til my  anival  at  this  house.  He  sat  some 
time  silent,  and  thea  told  me  tbat  mj  Iv- 


216  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

fher,  he  believed,  had  drawn  the  worst  side 
of  the  picture  ;  and  that  he  had  urged  him 
to  exert  every  means  in  his  power  to  re- 
claim me  to  obedience:  That  Beauman  was 
to  follow  me  in  a  few  months,  and  that,  if 
I  still  refused  to  yield  him  my  hand,  my  fa- 
ther positively  and  solemnly  declared  that 
he  would  discard  me  forever,  ?nd  strenu- 
ously enjoined  it  upon  him  to  do  the  same. 
"  I  well  know  my  brother's  temper,  contin- 
ued my  uncle;  the  cas^,  is  difficult,  but 
soinetning  must  be  done.  I  will  immedi- 
ately write  to  your  father,  desiring  him 
not  "to  proceed  too  rashly;  in  the  mean 
time  we  must  consider  what  measures  to 
pursue.  You  must  not,  my  niece,  you  must 
not  be  sacrificed."  So  saying,  he  left  me, 
highly  consoled  that,  instead  of  a  tyrant,  I 
had  found  a  friend  m  my  new  protector. 

k'  Alfred  was  made  acquainted  with  the 
ailair,  and  many  we  e  the  plajs  projected 
foi  my  benefit,  and  abandoned  as  indefeasi- 
ble, till  an  event  happened  which  called 
forth  ail  the  fortitude  of  my  uncle  to  sup- 
port it,  and  operated  in  the  end  to  free  me 
from  persecution. 

"  My  uncle's  daughter,  by  his  first  svife, 
was  of  a  very  delicate  and  sickly  constitu- 
tion, and  her  health  evidently  decreasing. 
After  she.  came  to  this  place,  she  was  sent 
to  a  village  en  one  of  the  high  hills  of  PC- 


ALONZO   AND   MELISSA.  217 

dee,  where  she  remained  a  considerable 
time,  she  then  went  to  one  of  the  inland 
towns  in  North  Carolina,  from  whence  sae 
had  but  just  returned  with  Alfred  when  1 
arrived.  Afterwards  I  accompanied  her  to 
Georgetown,  and  other  places,  attended  by 
her  father,  so  that  she  was  little  more 
known  in  Charleston  than  myself.  But  all 
answered  no  purpose  to  the  restoration  of 
her  health;  a  confirmed  hectic  carried  her 
off  in  the  bloom  of  youth. 

"  I  was  but  a  few  months  older  than  she; 
her  name  was  Melissa,  a  name  which  a  pi- 
ous grandmother  had  borne,  and  was  there- 
fore retained  in  the  family.  Our  similari- 
ty of  age,  and  in  some  measure  of  appear- 
ance, our  being  so  little  known  in  Charles- 
ton, and  our  names  being  the  same,  sugges- 
ted to  Alfred  the  idea  of  imposing  on  my 
father,  by  passing  off  my  cousin's  death  as 
my  own.  This  would,  at  least,  deter  Beau- 
man  from  prosecuting  his  intended  journey 
to  Charleston;  it  wou'd  also  give  tim ,  for 
farther  deliberation,  and  might  so  operate 
oil  my  father's  feelings  as  to  softeii  *hat 
obduracy  of  temper,  which  deeply  Gisquie- 
ted  himself  and  ethers,  and  thus  finally  be 
productive  of  happHy  effecting  the  designed 
purpose. 

"  My  uncle  was  tco  deeply  overwhelmed 
in  grief  to  be  particularly  consulted  on  this 
19 


5J18  ALONZO     ANI/    MELISSA. 

plan.  He  however  entrusted  Alfred  to  act 
with  full  powers,  and  to  use  his  name  for 
my  interest,  if  necessary.  Alfred  there- 
fore procured  a  publication,  as  of  my  death, 
in  the  Connecticut  papers,  particularly  at 
New  London,  the  native  place  of  Beau- 
rr^an.  In  Charleston  it  was  generally  sup- 
posed that  it  was  the  Hiece,  and  riot  the 

daughter  of  Col.  D ,  who  had  died. — 

This  imposition  was  likewise  practised 
upon  the  sexton,  who  keeps  the  register  of 
deaths.*  Alfred  then  wrote  a  letter  to  my 
father,  in  rny  uncle's  name,  stating  the  par- 
ticulars of  my  cousin's  death,  and  applying 
them  to  me.  The  epitaph  on  her  tomb- 
stone was  likewise  so  devised  that  it  would 
with  equal  propriety  apply  either  to  her  or 
to  me. 

"  To  undeceive  you,  Alonzo,  continued 
Melissa,  was  the  next  orbject.      I  consulted 

with  Alfred  how  this  should  be  done. 

"  My  sister,  he  said,  (in  our  private  circles 
he  always  called  me  by  the  tender  name  of 
sister,)  I  am  determined  to  see  you  happy 
before  I  relinquish  the  business  I  have  un- 
dertaken :  letters  are  a  precarious  mode  of 
communication ;  I  will  make  a  journey  to 
Connecticut,  find  out  Alonzo,  visit  your 
frienas,  and  see  how  the  plan  operates.  ] 

*  This  was  formerly  the  case. 


ALONZO    AND    MEIISSA.  219 

am  known  to  your  father,  who  has  ever 
treated  me  as  a  relative.  I  will  return  as 
speedily  as  possible,  and  we  shall  then 
know  what  measures  are  best  next  to  pur- 
sus." 

"  I  requested  him  to  unfold  the  deception 
to  my  mother,  and,  if  he  found  it  expedi- 
ent, to  Vincent  and  Mr.  Simpson,  in  whose 
friendship  and  fidelity  I  was  sure  he  might 
safely  confide. 

"  He  soon  departed,  and  returned  in  a- 
bcut  two  months.  He  found  my  father  and 
mother  in  extreme  distress  on  account  of 
my  supposed  death  :  my  mother's  grief  had 
brought  her  on  the  bed  of  sickness;  but 
when  Alfred  had  undeceived  her  she  rapid- 
ly revived.  My  father  told  Alfred  that  he 
senously  regretted  opposing  my  inclina- 
tions, and  that,  were  it  possible  he  could 
retrace  the  steps  he  had  taken,  he  should 
conduct  in  a,  very  different  manner,  as  .hfc 
was  not  oniy  deprived  of  me,  but  Edgar 
also,  vvhc  had  gone  to  Holland  in  an  official 
capacity,  soon  after  receiving  the  ti.dir.gs  oi 
my  death.  l(  I  am  now  childless,'-  said  my 
father  in  tears.  Alfred's  feeling*  were  mo- 
ved, and  could  he  then  have  found  you,  ha 
would  have  told  my  father  the  truth ;  but 
lest  he  should  relapse  from  present  deter- 
minations, he  considered  it  his  duty  still 
with  him.  to  continue  the  deception. 


22U  ALONZO   AND    MELISSA. 

"On  enquiring  ttt  your  father's,  at  Vin- 
cent's, and  at  Mr  Simpson's,  he  could  learn 
nothing  of  you,  except  that  you  had  gone 
to  New  London,  judging  possibly  that  you 
would  find  me  there.  Alfred  therefore  de- 
termined to  proceed  to  that  place  immedi- 
ately. He  then  confidentially  unfolded  to 
your  father,  Vincent,  and  Mr.  Simpson, 
the  scheme,  desiring  the!  if  you  returned 
you  would  proceed  immediately  to  Charles- 
ton, ivly  lather  was  still  to  be  kept  in  ig- 
norance. 

"  Alfred  proceeded  immediately  to  New- 
London:  from  my  cousin  there  he  was  in- 
formed of"  your  interview  with  him;  bui 
from  whence  you  then  came,  or  where  you 
went,  he  knew  not-,  and  after  making  the 
strictest  enquiry,  he  could  hear  nothing 
mere  of  you  By  a  vessel  in  that  port, 
-oound  directly  fur  Holland,  he  wrote  an 
account  of  the  whole  aflair  to  Edgar,  men- 
tioning his  unsuccessful  search  to  find  you; 
and  returned  to  Charleston. 

"  Alfred  learnt  from  my  friends  the  cir- 
eumstances  which  occasioned  my  suddea  re- 
moval from  che  old  mansion.  The  morning 
you  left  me  you  was  discovered  by  my 
aunt,  wno  w&$  passing  the  road  m  a  chair 
with  a  gentleman,  whom  she  had  then  but 
recently  become  acquainted  with.  My 
aunt  know  you  They  immediately  drove 


ALONZO    AND    MELISPA.  2:21 

to  John's  hut.  On  finding  that  John  ha 
left  tht  keys  with  me,  she  sent  him 
tlae-ra  ;  and  on  my  refusing  to  give  them  up, 
she  came  herself,  as  I  have  before  related; 
and  as  she  succeeded  no  better  than  John, 
sho  returned  and  dispatched  a  message  to 
my  father,  informing  him  of  the  circumstan- 
ces, and  her  suspicions  of  your  having  been 
to  the  mansion,  and  that,  from  my  having 
possession  of  the  keys  and  refusing  to  yield 
them  up,  there  was  little  doubt  but  that 
we  had  formed  a  plan  for  my  escape. 

"  Alarmed  at  this  information,  my  father 
immediately  ordered  his  carriage*  drove  to 
the  mansion,  and  removed  mz,  as  I  have 
before  informed  you." 

"  I  ought  to  have  told  you,  that  the  maid 
and  man  servant  who  attended  me  to 
Charleston,  not  liking  the  country,  and 
growing  sickly,  were  sent  back  by  my  un- 
cle, after  they  had  been  there  about  two 
months." 

Alonzo  found  by  this  narative  that  John 
had  deceived  him,  when  he  made  his  enqui- 
ries of  him  concerning  his  knowledge  of  Me- 
lissa's removal.  But  this  was  not  surpri- 
sing: John  was  tenant  to  Melissa's  aunt, 
and  subservient  to  all  her  views; — she  had 
undoubtedly  given  him  instructions  how  to 
act. 

"  But   who  was  the  strange  gentleman 
19* 


222  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

with  your  aunt  ?"  enquired  Alonzo.  "  This 
I  will  also  tell  you,  answered  Melissa,  tho' 
it  unfolds  a  tale  which  reflects  no  great 
honour  to  my  family. 

"  Hamblin  was  the  name  which  this  raan 
assumed  :  he  said  he  had  heen  an  eminent 
merchant  in  New  York,  and  had  left  it 
about  the  time  it  was  taken  by  the  British. 
He  lodged  at  an  inn  where  my  aunt  fre- 
quently stopped  when  she  was  out  collect- 
ing her  rents,  where  he  first  introduced 
himself  to  her  acquaintance,  and  ingratia- 
ted himself  into  her  favour  by  art  and  in- 
sidiousness.  He  accompanied  her  on  her 
visits  to  her  tenants,  and  assisted  her  in 
collecting  her  rents.  He  toM  her,  that 
when  the  war  carne  on,  he  had  turned  his 
effects  into  money,  which  he  had  with  him, 
and  was  now  in  pursuit  of  some  country 
place  where  he  might  purchase  a  residence 
to  remain  during  the  war.  To  cat  the  sto- 
ry as  short  as  possible,  he  finally  initiated 
himself  so  far  in  rny  aunt's  favour  that  she 
accepted  his  hand,  and,  contrary  to  my 
father's  opinion,  she  married  him,  and  he 
soon  after  persuaded  her  to  sell  her  property, 
under  pretence  of  removing  to  some  popu- 
lous town,  and  living  in  style.  Her  proper- 
ty, however,  was  no  sooner  sold  (which 
my  father  bought  for  ready  cash,  at  a  low 


ALONZO    A^D    MELISSA.  '£12 

price)  than  he  found  means  to  realize  the 
money,  and  absconded. 

"  It  was  afterwards  found  that  his  real 
name  was  Brenton ;  that  he  had  left  a  wife 
and  family  in  Virginia  in  indigent  circum- 
stances, where  he  had  spent  an  ample  for- 
tune, left  him  by  his  father,  in  debauchery, 
and  involved  himself  deeply  in  debt.  He 
had  scarcely  time  to  get  off  with  the  booty 
he  swindled  from  my  aunt,  when  his 
creditors  from  Virginia  were  at  his  heels. 
He  fled  to  the  British  at  New  York,  where 
he  rioted  for  a  few  months,  was  finally 
stabbed  by  a  soldier  in  a  fracas,  and  died 
the  next  day.  He  was  about  thirty-five 
years  old. 

"  All  these  troubles  bore  so  heavily  upon 
my  aunt,  that  she  went  into  a  decline,  and 
died  about  six  months  ago. 

"  After  Alfred  returned  from  Connecti- 
cut, he  wrote  frequently  to  Vincent  and 
Mr.  Simpson,  but  could  obtain  no  intelli- 
gence concerning  you.  It  would  be  need- 
less, Alonzo,  to  describe  my  conjectures,  my 
anxieties,  my  feelings!  The  death  of  my 
cousin  and  aunt  had  kept  me  in  crape  until, 
at  the  instance  of  Alfred,  I  put  it  off  yes- 
terday morning  at  my  uncle's  house,  which 
Alfred  had  proposed  for  the  scene  of  action, 
after  he  had  discovered  the  cause  of  my 
fainting  at  the  theatre.  I  did  not  rea- 


224  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

dily  come  into  Alfred's  plan  to  deceive  you: 
"Suffer  me,  he  said,  to  try  the  constancy 

of  your  Leander ; 1  doubt  whether  he 

would  swim  the  Hellespont  ior  y^u."  This 
aroused  my  pride  and  confidence,  and  I  per- 
mitted him  to  proceed." 

Alonzo  then  gave  Mellissa  a  minute  ac- 
count of  all  that  happened  to  him  from  the 
time  of  their  parting  at  the  old  mansion 
until  he  met  with  her  the  day  before.  At 
the  mention  of  Beaurnan's  fate  Melissa 
sighed.  "With  how  many  vain  fears;  said 
she,  was  I  perplexed,  lest,  by  some  means 
he  should  discover  my  existence  and  place 
of  residence,  after  he,  alas,  was  silent  in  the 
tomb!" 

Alonzo  told  Melissa  that  he  had  receiv- 
ed a  letter  from  Edgar,  after  he  arrived  in 
Holland,  and  that  he  had  written  him  ar 
answer,  just  as  he  left  Paris,  informing  him 
of  his  reasons  for  returning  to  America. 

When  the  time  arrived  that  Alonzo  and 
Melissa  were  to  set  out  for  Connecticut, 
Melissa's  uncle  and  Alfred  accompanied 
them  as  far  as  Georgetown,  where  an  affec- 
tionate parting  took  place  :  The  latter  re- 
turned to  Charleston,  and  the  former  pro- 
ceeded on  their  journey. 

Philadelphia  was  now  in  possession  of  the 
British  troops.  Alonzo  found  Dr.  Frank- 
lin's agent  at  Chester,  transacted  his  busi- 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA.  225 

ness,  went  on,  arrived  at  Vincent's  where 
he  left  Melissa,  and  proceeded  immediate- 
ly tc  his  lather's 

The  friends  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa  were 
joyfully  surprised  at  their  arrival  Melis- 
sa's mother  was  sent  for  to  Vincent's.  Let 
imagination  paint  the  meeting!  As  yet 
however  they  were  not  prepared  to  unde- 
cieve  her  father. 

Alonzo  found  his  parents  in  penurious  cir- 
cumstances ;  indeed,  his  father  having  the 
preceeding  summer,  been  too  indisposed  to 
manage  his  little  farm  with  attention,  and 
being  unable  to  hire  labourers,  his  crobs 
had  yeilded  but  a  scanty  supply,  and  he 
had  been  compelled  to  sell  most  of  his 
stock  to  answer  pressing  demands.  With 
great  joy  they  welcomed  Alonzo.  whom 
they  had  given  up  as  lost.  "You  still  find 
your  father  poor,  Alonzo,  said  the  old  gen- 
tleman, but  you  find  him  still  honest, — 
From  my  inability  to  labour,  we  have  lat- 
terly been  a  little  more  pressed  than  usu- 
al ;  but  having  now  recovered  my  health.  I 
trust  that  that  difficulty  will  soon  be  re- 
moved." 

Alonzo  asked  his  father  if  he  ever  knew 
Dr.  Franklin. 

"We  were  school-mates,  he  replied  and 
Were  intimately  acquainted  after  we  be- 
came young  men  in  business  for  ourselves. 


226  ALOI.ZO    AND    MELISSA. 

We  have  done  each  other  favours ;  I  once 
divided  my  money  with  Franklin  on  an 
urgent  occasion  to  him ;  he  afterwards 
repaid  me  with  ample  interest — he  will 
never  forget  it." 

Alonzo  then  related  to  his  father  all  the 
incidents  of  his  travels,  minutely  par- 
ticularizing the  disinterested  conduct  of 
Franklin,  and  then  presented  his  father  with 
the  rover/sion  of  his  estate.  The  old  man 
fell  on  his  knees,  and  with  tears  streaming 
down  his  withered  cheeks,  offered  devout 
thanks  to  the  great  Dispenser  of  all  mercies. 

Alonzo  then  visited  Melissa's* father,  who 
received  him  with  much  complacency.  "  J 
have  injured,  said  he,  my  young  friend, 
deeply  injured  you ;  but  in  doing  this,  I 
have  inflicted  a  wound  still  deeper  in  my 
own  bosom." 

Alonzo  desired  him  not  to  renew  his  sor- 
rows. "  What  is  past,  said  he,  is  be- 
yond recal ;  but  a  subject  of  some  impor- 
tance to  me,  is  the  object  of  my  present 
visit. — True  it  is,  that  your  daughter  was 
'the  object  of  my  earliest  affection — an  af- 
fection which  my  bosom  must  ever  retain 
but  being  separated  by  the  will  of  Provi- 
dence— for  I  view  Providence  as  overruling 
all  events  for  wise  purposes — I  betook  myself 
to  travel.  Time,  you  know  it  is  said,  sir, 
will  blunt  the  sharpest  thorns  of  sorrow. — 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  227 

[The  old  man  sighed.] In  my  travels  I 

hare  found  a  lady  so  nearly  resembling  yoin 
daughter,  that  I  was  induced  to  sue  for  her 
hand,  and  have  been  so  happy  as  to  gain 
the  promise  of  it.  The  favour  I  have  to 
Hsk  of  you,  sir,  is  only  that  you  will  permi' 
the  marriage  ceremony  to  be  celebrated 
in  your  house,  as  you  know  my  father  is 
poor,  his  house  small  and  inconvenient,  and 
that  you  will  also  honour  me  by  giving  the 
lady  away.  In  receiving  her  from  your 
hands,  I  shall  in  some  measure  realize  for- 
mer anticipations ;  I  shall  receive  her  ia 
the  character  of  Melissa." 

"  Ah !  said  Melissa's  father,  were  it  ir 
my  power — could  I  but  give  you  the  origi- 
nal ;  But  how  vain  that  wish !  Yes,  my 
young  friend,  your  request  shall  be  punctu- 
ally complied  with  :  I  will  take  upon  my- 
self the  preparations.  Name  your  day,  and 
if  the  lady  Is  portionless,  in  that  she  sha«l 
be  to  me  a  Melissa." 

Alonzo  bowed  his  head  in  gratitude ; 
and  after  appointing  that  day  week,  he  de- 
parted. 

Invitations  were  once  mor^  sent  abroaci 
for  the  wedding  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa. — • 
Few  indeed  knew  it  to  be  the  real  Melissa, 
but  they  were  generally  informed  of  Alon- 
zo's  reason, s  for  preferring  the  celebration 
at  her  father's 


228  ALONZO   AND   MELISSA. 

The  evening  before  the  day  on  which  the 
marriage  wa_  to  take  place,  Alonzo  and 
Melissa  were  sitting  with  the  Vincents  in 
an  upper  room,  when  a  person  rapped  at 
the  door  below.  Vincent  went  down,  and 
\mmediately  returned,  introducing,  to  the 
joy  and  surprise  of  the  company,  Edgar ! 

Here,  again,  we  shall  leave  iv  for  the  im- 
agination to  depict  the  scene  of  an  affec- 
tionate brother,  meeting  a  tender  and  only 
sister,  whom  he  had  long  since  supposed 
to  be  dead  !  He  had  been  at  his  father's,  and 
his  mother  had  let  him  into  the  secret, 
when  he  immediately  hastened  to  Vin- 
cent's. He  told  them  that  he  did  not  stay 
long  in  Holland;  that  after  receiving  A- 
lonzo's  letter  from  Paris,  he  felt  an  un- 
conquerable propensity  to  return,  and  soon 
sailed  for  America,  arrivea  at  Boston,  came 
to  New-Haven,  took  orders  in  the  minis- 
try, and  had  reached  home  that  day.  He 
informed  them  that  Mr.  Simpson  and  fami 
Jy  had  arrived  at  his  father's,  and  some  rel- 
atives whom  his  mother  had  invited. 

The  next  morning  ushered  in  the  da/  IL 
*vhich  the  hero  and  a^roine  ot  our  story 
were  to  consummate  their  felicity.  No 
cross  purposes  stood  ready  to  intervene  their 
happiness,  no  obdurate  father,  no  watchful, 
scowling  aunt,  to  interrupt  their  transpoite. 
It  wa*tbe  latter  end  of  May;  nature  was 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  229 

arrayed  in  her  richest  ornaments,  and  a- 
donied  with  her  sweetest  perfumes.  The 
sun  blendid  its  mild  lustre  with  the  land- 
scape's lonely  green  ;  silk-winged  breezes 
frolicked  amidst  the  flowers ;  the  spring 
birds  Barreled  in  varying  strains  : 

"  The  air  «yas  fragrance,  and  the  world  was  love." 

Evening  was  appointed  Tor  the  ceremo- 
ny, and  Edgar  was  to  be  the  officiating  cler- 
gyman. 

"To  tie  th^se  bands  which  nought  but  death 
can  sever." 

When  the  hour  arrived,  they  repaired  to 
the  hor.se  of  Melissa's  father,  whj re  numer- 
ous guests  had  assembled.  Melissa  was  in 
troduced  into  th^  bridal  apartment,  and 
took  her  seat  among  a  brilliant  circle  of  la- 
dies. She  was  attired  in  robes  "  white  as 
the  southern  clouds,"  spangled  with  saver, 
and  trimmed  with  deep  gold  lace ;  her  hair 
hung  'oosely  upon  her  shoulders,  encircled 
by  a  wreath  of  artificial  flowers.  She  had 
regained  all  her  former  loveliness  ;  the  rose 
emd  the  liiy  again  blended  their  tinges  in 
feer  cheek;  %g&\n pensive  sprightliness  spark- 
ted  in  her  eye. 

Alonze  was  now  introduced,  and  took  his 

•eat  at  the  side  of  Melissa.     His  father  and 

oother  2ame  next,  who  were  placed  at  the 

';,-,hf  hand  of  the  young  couple  :  Melissa's 

20 


230  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

parents  followed,  and  were  stationed  at  tlie 
left.  Kogar  then  came  and  took  his  seat  in 
iron! ;  after  which  ths  guests  were  sum- 
moned, who  filled  the  room.  Edgar  ther 
rising,  motioned  to  the  intended  bride  and 
bridegroom  to  nse  also.  He  next  turned 
to  Alorizo's  father  for  his  sanction,  who 
bowed  assent.  Then  addressing  his  own 
father,  with  emotions  that  scarcely  suffered 
him  to  articulate.  "  Do  you,  sir,  said  lie, 
give  this  lady  to  that  gentleman  ?"  A  sol- 
emn silence  prevailed  in  the  room.  Melis- 
sa was  extremely  Agitated,  as  her  father, 
slowly  rising,  and  with  down-cast  eyes, 

•'  Where  tides  of  heavy  sorrow  sweli'd,'"' 

took  her  trembling  hand,  and  conveying  it 
into  Alonzo's,  "  May  the  smiles  of  heaven 
rest  upon  you,  he  said ;  may  future  bless- 
ings trown  your  present  happy  prospects ; 
and  may  your  latter  days  never  be  embit- 
tered by  the  premature  loss  of  near  and 
dear 1 » 

Pungent  grief  here  choaked  his  utterance, 
ana  at  this  moment  Melissa,  falling  upon  her 
knees,  u  Dear  lather  !  she  exclaimed,  burst- 
ing into  tears,  pardon  deception  ;  acknowl 
edge  your  daughter — your  OWQ  Melissa  !" 

Her  father  started — ne  gazed  at  her  with 
scritimzing  attention,  and  sunk  back  in  iiir 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  2S1 

?hair. — u  My  daughter  !  he  cried — God  of 
mysterious  mercy  !  it  is  my  daughter  !" 

The  guests  caught  the  contagious  sympa- 
thy ;  convulsive  sobs  arose  from  all  parts 
of  the  room.  Melissa's  father  clasped  her 
in  his  arms — "And  I  receive  thee  as  from 
the  dead f  he  said.  I  am  anxious  to  hear 
the  mighty  mystery  unfolded.  But  first  le; 
the  solemn  rites  for  which  we  are  assemb- 
led be  concluded  j  let  not  au.  sld  man's  anx- 
iety interrupt  the  ceremony  " 

"  But  you  are  apprised,  sir,  said  Alonzo, 
of  my  inability  to  support  youi  daughter 
According  to  her  deserts.'* 

"  Leave  that  to  me,  my  young  friend,  re- 
plied her  father.  I  have  enough  :  my  chil- 
dren are  restored,  and  I  am  happy." 

Melissa  soon  resumed  her  former  station. 
The  indissoluble  knot  was  tied  :  they  sat 
down  to  the  wedding  feast,  and  mirth  and 
hilarity  danced  in  cheerful  circles. 

Before  the  company  retired,  Edgar  rela- 
ted the  most  prominent  incidents  of  Aionzo 
and  Melissa's  history,  since  they  had  been 
abstnt.  The  guests  listened  with  atten- 
tion :  they  applauded  the  conduct  of  our 
new  bride  and  bridegroom,  in  which  Melis- 
sa's father  cordially  joined.  They  rejoiced 
to  find  that  Alonzo's  father  had  regained 
his  fortune,  and  copious  libations  v^era 


232  AL3NZO    AN»   MELI&8A. 

poured   forth   in  honour   of  the   immortal 
Franklin. 

And  now,  reader  of  sensibility,  indulge 
the  pleasing  sensations  of  thy  bosom — for 
A.lonzo  and  Melissa  are  MARRIED. 

Alonzo's  father  was  soon  in  complete  re- 
possession of  his  former  property.  The 
premises  from  which  he  had  been  driven 
by  his  unfeeling  creditors,  were  yielded  up 
without  difficulty,  and  to  which  he  imme- 
diately removed.  He  not  only  recv/rered 
the  principal  of  the  fortune  he  had  lost, 
but  the  damages  and  the  interest ;  so  that, 
althuugn  like  Job,  Le  had  seen  affliction, 
like  iiim  his  lattei  days  were  better  thaa 
his  beginning.  P>ut  wearied  with  the  bus 
ties  of  life,  he  did  not  again  enter  into  the 
mercantile  business,  but  placing  his  money 
at  interest  in  safe  hands,  lived  retired  on 
his  little  farm. 

A  few  days  after  the  wedding,  as  Melis- 
sa was  sitting  with  Alonzo,  Edgar  and  her 
parents,  she  asked  her  father  whether  the 
old  mansion  was  inhabited. 

"  Not  by  human  beings,  he  replied. 

Since  it  has  fallen  into  my  hands  I  have 
leased  it  to  three  or  four  different  families, 
who  ah  left  it  under  the  foolisn  pretence  or 
impression  of  hearing  noise?  and  seeing 
frightful  objects,  and  such  is  the  supersti- 
tion of  the  people  that  no  one  now,  will 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA  235 

vcu  ,ure  to  try  it  again,  though  I  suppose 
its  inhabitants  to  consist  only  of  rats  and 
mice." 

Melissa  then  informed  them  of  all  that 
had  happened  when  she  was  there,  the  alar- 
ming noises  and  horrible  appearances  she 
had  been  witness  to,  and  in  which  she  was 
confident  her  senses  had  not  deceived  her. 
Exceedingly  astonished  at  her  relation;  it 
was  agreed  that  Edgar  and  Alonzo,  proper- 
ly attended,  should  proceed  to  the  mansion, 
in  order  to  find  whether  any  discoveries 
could  Le  made  which  might  tend  to  the 
elucidation  of  so  mysterious  an  affair. 

For  this  purpose  they  chose  twenty  men, 
/•Armed  them  with  muskets  and  swords,  ana 
proceeded  to  the  place,  where  they  arrivcu 
in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  having  ehosei 
*hai  season  as  the  most  favourable  to  theii 
designs. 

They  found  the  drawbridge  up,  and  che 
pate  locked,  as  Edgar's  fother  said  he  had 
left  them.  They  entered  and  secured  them 
in  the  same  manner.  When  they  came  to 
the  house,  they  cautiously  unlocked  the 
door,  and  proceeded  to  the  chamber,  where 
they  struck  a  fire  and  lighted  candles,  which 
they  had  brought  with  them.  It  was  then 
agreed  to  plant  fifteen  of  the  men  at  suita- 
ble distances  around  the  mansion,  and  re- 
20* 


234  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

tain  five  in  the  chamber  with  Alonzo  and 
Edgar. 

The  men,  who  were  placed  around  the 
house,  were  stationed  behind  trees,  stumps 
or  rocks,  and  where  no  object  presented, 
lay  flat  on  the  ground,  with  orders  not  to 
stir,  or  discover  themselves,  let  what  would 
ensue,  unless  some  alarm  should  be  given 
from  the  house. 

Alonzo  and  Edgar  were  armed  with  pis- 
tols and  side  arms,  and  posted  themselves 
with  the  five  men  in  the  chamber,  taking 
care  that  the  lights  should  not  shine  agaiust 
the  window  shutters,  so  that  nothing  could 
be  discovered  from  without.  Things  thus 
arranged,  they  observed  almost  an  implicit 
silence,  no  one  being  allowed  to  speak,  ex 
cept  in  a  low  whisper. 

For  a  long  time  no  sound  was  heard  ex- 
cept the  hollow  roar  of  winds  in  the  neigh- 
bouring forest,  their  whistling  around  the 
angles  of  the  mansion,  or  the  hoarse  mur- 
nier?  of  the  distant  surge.  The  night  was 
dark,  and  only  illuminated  by  the  feeble 
twinkling  of  half  clouded  stars. 

They  had  watched  until  about  midnight, 
when  they  were  alarmed  by  noises  in  the 
rooms  below,  among  which  they  could  dis- 
tinguish footsteps  and  human  voices.  A- 
lonzo  and  Edgar,  then  taking  each  a  pi«tol 
in  on !  hand,  and  a  drawn  sword  in  the  oth- 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  235 

er,  ordered  their  men  to  follow  them,  pre- 
pared for  action.  Coming  to  the  head  of 
the  stairs,  they  saw  a  brilliant  light  stream- 
ing into  the  hall ;  they  therefore  concluded 
to  take  no  candles,  and  to  prevent  discove- 
ry they  took  off  their  shoes.  When  tbey 
came  into  the  hall  opposite  the  door  of  the 
room  from  whence  the  light  and  noises  pro- 
ceeded, they  discovered  ten  men  genteelly 
dressed,  sitting  around  a  table,  on  which 
was  placed  a  considerable  quantity  of  gold 
and  silver  coin,  a  number  of  glasses  and  se- 
veral decanters  of  wine.  Alonzo  and  his 
party  stood  a  few  minutes,  listening  to  the 
folio  wing  discourse,  which  took  place  among 
this  ghostly  gentry. 

"  Well,  boys,  we  have  made  a  fine  haul 

this  trip." "  Yes,  but  poor  Bob,  though, 

was  plump'd  over  by  the  d d  skulkers!" 

• — "  Aye,  and  had  we  not  tugged  bravely  at 

the  oarrs,  they  would  have  hook'd  us." 

"  Rascally  cow-boys  detained  us  too  long." 

"  Well,  never  mind  it;  let  us  knock  a- 

round  the  wine,  and  then  divide  the  spoil." 

At  this  moment,  Alonzo  and  Edgar,  fol- 
lowed by  the  five  men,  rushed  into  the 
room,  crying.  "  Swrender,  or  you  are  all 
dead  men  /"  In  an  instant  the  room  was 
involved  i  i  pitchy  darkness ;  a  loud  crash 
was  he-ard,  then  a  scampering  about  the 
floor,  and  a  noise  as  if  several  doors  shut 


236  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

to>  with  violence.  They  however  gave  the 
alarm  to  the  men  without,  by  loudly  shout- 
ing "Look  out;"  and  immediately  the  dis- 
charge of  several  guns  was  heard  around  the 
mansion.  One  of  the  men  flew  up  stairs 
and  brought  a  light ;  but,  to  their  utter  a- 
mazement,  no  person  was  to  be  discovered 
in  the  room  except  their  own  party.  The 
table,  with  its.  apparatus,  and  the  chairs  on 
which  these  now  invisible  beings  had  sat, 
had  disappeared,  not  a  single  trace  of  them 
being  left. 

While  they  stood  petrified  with  aston- 
ishment, the  men  from  without  called  for 
admittance.  The  door  being  unlocked, 
they  led  in  a  stranger  wounded,  whom  they 
immediately  discovered  to  be  one  of  tho.se 
they  had  seen  at  the  table. 

The  men  who  had  been  stationed  around 
the  mansion  informed,  that  some  time  be- 
fore the  alarm  was  made,  they  <=aw  a  num- 
ber of  persons  crossing  the  yard  from  the 
western  part  of  the  enclosure,  towards  the 
house;  that  immediately  after  the  shout 
was  given,  they  discovered  several  people 
running  back  in  the  same  direction  :  they 
hailed  them,  which  being  disregarded,  they 
fired  upon  them,  one  of  whom  they  brought 
down,  which  was  the  wounded  man  they 
had  brought  in.  The  others,  though  they 
pursued  them  got  off. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  237 

The  prisoner's  wound  was  not  dangerous, 
die  ball  had  shattered  his  arm,  and  glanced 
upon  his  breast.  They  dressed  his  wound 
as  well  as  they  could,  and  then  requested 
him  to  unfold  the  circumstances  of  the  sus- 
picious appearance  in  which  he  ;vas  invol- 
ved. 

"  First  promise  me,  on  your  honour,  said 
the  stranger,  that  you  will  use  your  influ- 
ence to  prevent  my  being  punished  or  im- 
prisoned." 

This  they  readily  agreed  to?  on  condi- 
tion that  he  would  conceal  nothing  from 
them — and  he  gave  them  the  following  re- 
lation: 

That  they  were  a  part  of  a  gang  of  illicit 
traders;  men  who  had  combined  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  on  a  s-ecret  and  illegal 
commerce  with  the  British  army  on  Long 
island,  whom,  contrary  to  the  existing  laws, 
they  supplied  with  provisions,  and  brought 
off  English  goods,  which  they  sold  at  ve- 
ry extortionate  prices.  But  this  was  not 
all;  they  also  brought  over  large  quantities 
of  counterfeit  continental  money,  which 
they  put  off  among  the  American's  for  live 
stock,  poultry,  produce,  &e.  which  they 
carried  to  the  Island.  The  counterfeit  mo- 
ney they  purchased  by  merely  paying  for 
the  printing;  the  British  having  obtained 
copies  of  the  American  emission,  struck  im- 


238  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

mense  quantities  of  i*  in  New- York,  aud 
insidiously  sent  it  out  into  the  countiy,  ifl 
order  to  sink  oui  currency. 

This  gang  was  likewise  connected  with 
the.  cow-boys,  who  made  it  their  business 
to  steal,  not  only  milch  cows,  and  other 
cattle,  but  also  hogs  and  shcop,  whien  they 
drove  by  night  to  some  convenient  place 
on  the  shores  of  the  Sound,  where  these 
thief-par tiiers  received  them,  and  conveyed 
them  to  the  British, 

"  In  our  excursions  across  the  Sourd, 
continued  the  wounded  man,  we  had  fre- 
quently observed  this  mansion,  which,  from 
every  appearance,  we  were  convinced  was 
uninhabited  : — we  thereiore  selected  it  as  a 
suitable  place  for  our  future  rendezvous, 
which  had  therefore  been  only  in  the  open 
woods.  To  cross  the  moat  we  dragged  up 
au  old  canoe  from  the  sea  shore,  wh^ch  we 
concealed  in  the  bushes  as  soon  as  we  re- 
crossed  from  the  old  mansion.  To  get  ovei 
the  wall  we  used  ladders  of  ropes,  placing 
a  flat  of  thick  board  on  thp  top  of  the  spike' 
driven  into  the  wall.  \Ve  found  more  dif- 
ficulty in  getting  into  the  house  : — we 
however  at  length  succeeded,  by  tearing 
away  a  part  of  the  back  wall,  where  we  fit- 
ted in  a  door  so  exactly,  acd  so  nicely 
painted  it,  that  it  could  not  be  distinguish- 
ed from  the  wall  itself.  This  door  \v&  so 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  239 

constructed,  that  on  touching  a  spring,  it 
would  fly  open,  and  when  unrestrained, 
.vould  shut  to  with  violence.  Finding  the 
apartment  so  eligible  for  our  purpose,  and 
faring  that  at  some  future  time  we  might 
be  disturbed  either  by  the  owner  of  the 
building  or  some  tenant,  we  cut  similar 
doors  into  every  room  of  the  house,  so  that 
on  an  emergency  we  could  traverse  every 
apartment  without  access  to  the  known 
doors.  Trap-doors  on  a  similar  construc- 
tion, communicated  with  the  cellar  : — the 
table,  which  you  saw  us  sitting  around,  stood 
on  one  of  those,  which,  oa  your  abrupt  ap- 
pearance, as  soon  as  the  candles  were  ex- 
tinguished, was  with  its  contents,  precipi- 
tated below,  and  we  made  our  escape  by 
those  t-ecret  doors,  judging,  that  although 
you  had  seen  us,  if  we  could  get  off,  you 
would  be  unabie  to  find  out  any  thing  which 
might  lead  to  cur  discovery. 

"  A  circumstance  soon  occurred,  which 
tended  to  embarrass  our  plans^  arid  at  first 
seemed  to  menace  their  overthrow.  Our 
assembling  at  the  mansion  was  irregular,  as 
occasion  and  circumstances  required  ;  often 
not  more  than  once  a  week,  but  sometimes 
more  frequent,  and  always  in  the  night.—- 
Late  one  night,  as  we  were  proceeding  to 
the  mansion,  and  had  arrived  near  it,  sud 
denly  one  of  the  chamber  windows  was  o 


210  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA, 

pen^d.  and  a  light  issued  from  within.  We 
entered  the  house  with  caution,  and  soon 
discovered  that  some  person  was  in  the 
chamber  from  whence  we  had  seen  the 
light,  We  remained  until  all  was  silent, 
and  then  entered  the  chamber  by  one  of 
our  secret  doors,  and  to  our  inexpressible 
surprise,  beheld  a  beautiful  young  lady  a- 
sleep  on  the  only  bed  in  the  room.  We 
cautiously  retired,  and  reconnoitering  all 
parts  of  the  mansion,  found  that  she  was  the 
only  inhabitant  except  ourselves.  The  sin- 
gularity of  her  being  there  alone,  is  a  cir- 
cumstance we  have  never  bjeu  auie  to  dis- 
cover, but  it  gave  us  fair  hopes  of  easily 
procuring  her  ejectment.  We  then  imme- 
diately withdrew,  and  mule  preparations 
to  dispossess  the  fair  tena:it  of  the  premises 
to  which  we  considered  o  irselves  more  pro- 
perly entitled,  as  possessing  a  prior  incum- 
bency. 

"  We  did  not  effect  the  completion  of 
oui  apparatus  under  three  or  four  days.  As 
soon  as  we  were  prepared,  we  returned  to 
the  mansion.  As  we  approached  the  house, 
it  appears  the  lady  heard  us,  for  again  she 
suddenly  flung  up  a  window  and  held  out  a 
candle  :  we  skulked  from  the  light,  but  fear- 
ed she  had  a  glimpse  of  us. — After  we  had 
got  into  *he  house  we  were  still  until  we 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  24} 

supposed  her  to  be  asleep,  which  we  found 
to  be  the  case  on  going  to  her  chamber. 

"  We  then  stationed  one  near  her  bed, 
who,  by  a  loud  rap  on  the  floor  with  a  cane, 
appeared  to  arouse  her  in  a  fright.  Loud 
noises  were  then  made  below,  and  some  of 
them  ran  heavily  up  the  stairs  which  led  to 
her  chamber ;  the  person  stationed  in  the 
room  whispering  near  her  bed — she  raised 
herself  up,  and  he  fled  behind  the  curtains. 
Soon  after  she  again  lay  down  ;  he  approach- 
ed nearer  the  bed  with  a  design  to  lay  his 
hand,  on  which  he  had  drawn  a  thin  sheet- 
lead  glove,  across  her  face ;  but  discov- 
ering her  arm  on  the  out  side  of  the  bed- 
clothes, he  grasped  it — she  screamed  and 
sprang  up  in  the  bed  ;  the  man  then  left 
the  room. 

"  As  it  was  not  our  intention  to  injure 
the  lady,  but  only  to  drive  her  from  the 
house,  we  concluded  we  had  sufficiently 
alarmed  her,  and  having  extinguished  the 
lights,  were  about  to  depart,  when  we  heard 
her  descending  the  stairs.  She  came  down 
and  examined  the  doors,  when  one  of  our 
party,  in  a  loud  whisper,  crying  "  away  ! 
away  ;"  she  darted  up  stairs,  and  we  left 
the  house. 

"  We  did  not  return  the  next  night,  in 
order  to  give  her  time  to  get  off;  but  tne 
night  after  we  again  repaired  to  the  man 
21  P 


242  ALwNZO    AND    MELISSA. 

sion,  expecting  that  she  had  gone,  but  we 
were  disappointed  .  As  it  was  late  when  we 
arrived,  she  was  wrapped  in  sleep,  and  we 
found  that  more  forcible  measures  must  be 
resarted  to  before  we  could  remove  her,  and 
for  such  measures  we  were  amply  prepared. 
The  stranger  then  unfolded  the  mysteries 
of  that  awful  night,  when  Melissa  was  so 
terrified  by  horrible  appearances.  One  of 
the  tallest  and  most  robust  of  the  gang,  was 
attired,  a*»  has  been  described,  when  he  ap- 
peared by  her  bed  side.  The  while  robe 
was  an  old  sheet,  stained  in  some  parts  with 
a  liquid  red  mixture ;  the  wound  in  his 
breast  was  artificial,  and  the  blood  issuing 
therefrom  was  only  some  of  this  mixture, 
pressed  from  a  small  bladder,  concealed  un- 
der his  robe.  On  his  head  and  face  he  wore 

a  mask,  with  glass  eyes -the  mask   was 

painted  to  suit  their  purposes.     The  bloody 
dagger  was  of  wood,  and  painted. 

thus  accoutred,  he  took  his  stand  near 
Melissa's  bed,  having  first  blown  out  the 
candles  she  had  left  burning,  and  dischar- 
ged a  small  pistol.  Perceiving  this  had  a- 
wakeued  her,  a  train  of  powder  was  fired 
n  the  adjoining  room  opposite  the  secret 
door,  which  was  left  open,  in'  order  that 
the  Hash  might  illuminate  hei  apartment; 
then  several  large  C'xnnon  bal'f  were  rolled 
through  the  rooms  over  her  head.,  imitative 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA.  243 

}f  thunder.  The  person  in  her  room  then 
uttered  a  horrible  groan,  and  gliding  along 
by  her  bed,  took  his  stand  behind  the  cur- 
tains, near  the  foot.  The  noises  below,  the 
cry  of  murder,  the  firing  of  the  second  pis- 
ioi,  anr*i  the  running  up  stairs,  were  all  cor- 
responding scenes  to  impress  terror  on  her 
imagination.  The  pretended  ghost  then 
advanced  in  front  of  her  bed,  while  lights 
were  slowly  introduced,  which  £rst  shone 
faintly,  until  they  were  ushered  into  the 
room  by  the  private  door,  exhibiting  the 
person  before  her  in  all  his  horrific  appear- 
ances. On  her  shrieking,  and  shrinking  in- 
to the  bed,  the  lights  were  suddenly  extin- 
guished, and  the  person,  after  commanding 
her  to  be  gone  in  a  hoarse  voice,  passed  a- 
gain  to  the  foot  of  the  bed,  shook  it  violent- 
ly, and  made  a  seeming  attempt  to  get  up- 
on it,  '.vhen,  perceiving  her  to  be  springing 
up,  he  fled  out  of  the  room  by  the  secret 
door,  cautiously  shut  it,  and  joined  his  com- 
panions. 

The  operators  had  not  yet  completed 
tKeir  farce,  or  rather,  to  Melissa,  tragedy. 
They  had  framed  an  image  of  paste-board, 
in  human  shape,  arrayed  it  in  black,  its 
eyes  being  formed  of  large  pieces  of  what 
is  vulgarly  called  fox-fire*  made  into  the 

*A  sort  of  decayed  or  rotten  wood,  which  in  the  nijjht  Jooka 
iike  coali  of  fire,  of  a  bright  whitish  colour.    It  emits  a  faint 


244  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

likeness  of  human  eyes,  some  material  be 
ing  placed  in  its  mouth,  around  which  was 
a  piece  of  the  thinest  scarlet  tiffany,  in 
order  to  make  it  appear  of  a  flame  colour 
They  had  also  constructed  a  large  combus- 
tible ball,  of  several  thicknesses  of  paste- 
board, to  which  a  match  was  placed.  The 
image  was  to  be  conveyed  into  her  room, 
and  placed,  in  the  dark,  before  her  bed ; — 
while  in  that  position,  the  bail  was  to  be 
rubbed  over  with  phosphorus,  the  match 
set  on  lire,  and  rolled  across  her  chamber, 
and  when  it  burst,  the  image  was  to  vanish, 
by  being  suddenly  conveyed  out  of  the  pri- 
vate door,  which  was  to  close  the  scene  for 
.hat  night.  But  as  Melissa  had  now  arisen 
and  lighted  candles,  the  plan  was  defeated. 
While  they  were  consulting  how  to  pro- 
ce'  \  they  heard  her  unlock  her  chamber 
do*  .  and  slowly  descend  the  stairs.  Fear- 
ing a  discovery,  they  retired  with  their 
lights,  and  the  person  who  had  been  in  her 
chamber,  not  haying  yet  stripped  oiF  his 
ghostly  habiliments,  laid  himself  down  on 
one  side  of  the  ball.  The  man  who  had  the 
image,  crowded  hhaself  with  it  under  the 
stairs  she  was  descending.  On  her  drop- 
ping the  candle,  when  she  turned  to  flee  to 
her  chamber,  from  the  sight  of  the  same  ob- 
ject which  had  appeared  at  her  bed-side, 
the  person  urder  the  stairs  presented  the 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  245 

image  at  their  foot,  and  at  the  same  instan 
the  combustible  ball  was  prepared,  and  rol- 
led through  the  hall ;  and  when  on  its  burst- 
ing she  fainted,  they  began  to  grow  aiamicd; 
but,  on  finding  that  she  recovered  and  re- 
gained her  chamber,  they  departed,  for 
that  time,  from  the  house. 

"Our  scheme,  continued  the  wounded 
man,  had  the  desired  effect.  On  returning 
a  few  evenings  after,  we  found  the  laHy 
gone  and  the  furniture  removed.  Severa. 
attempts  were  afterwards  made  to  occupy 
the  house,  but  we  always  succeeded  in  soon 
frightening  the  inhabitants  away." 

Edgar  and  Alonzo  then  requested  their 
prisoner  to  show  them  the  springs  of  the 
secret  doors,  and  how  they  were  opened. 
The  springs  were  sunk  in  the  wood,  which 
being  touched  by  entering  a  gimblet  hole 
with  a  piece  of  pointed  steel,  which  each 
of  the  gang  always  had  about  him,  the  door 
would  fly  open,  and  fasten  again  in  shutting 
to.  On  opening  the  trap-door  over  which 
the  gang  had  sat  when  they  first  discovered 
them,  they  found  the  table  and  chairs,  with 
the  decanters  broken,  and  the  money,  which 
they  secured.  In  one  part  of  the  cellar  they 
were  shown  a  kind  of  cave,  its  mouth  cover- 
ed with  boards  and  earth— here  the  company 
kept  their  furniture,  and  to  this  place  would 
they  have  removed  it.  had  they  not  been  so 
21* 


246  ALONZO   AND   MELISSA. 

suddenly  frightened  away.  The  canoe  they 
found  secreted  in  the  bushes  beyond  the 
canal. 

It  was  then  agreed  that  the  man  should 
go  before  the  proper  authorities  in  a  neigh- 
bouring town,  and  there,  as  stated  evi- 
dence, make  affidavit  of  what  he  had  reci- 
ted, and  as  complete  a  developemeut  of  the 
characters  concerned  i*  the  business  as 
possible,  when  he  was  to  be  released.  The 
man  enquired  to  what  town  they  were  to 
go  which,  when  they  had  informed  him, 
u  Then,  said  he,  it  will  be  in  my  power  to 
perform  one  deed  of  justice  before  I  leave 
the  country,  as  leave  it  I  must,  immediate- 
ly after  I  have  given  in  my  testimony,  or  I 
shall  be  assassinated  by  seme  of  those  who 
will  be  implicated  in  the  transaction  I  have 
related." 

He  then  informed  them,  that  while  he, 
with  the  gang,  was  prosecuting  the  illicit 
trade,  a  British  ship  came  and  anchored  in 
the  Sound,  which  they  supplied  with  pro- 
visions, but  that  having  at  one  time  a  con- 
siderable quantity  on  hand,  the  ship  sent 
its  boat  on  shore,  with  an  officer  and  live 
men,  to  fetch  it;  the  officer  caine  with 
them  on  shore,  leaving  the  men  in  the  boat: 
"  As  we  were  about  to  carry  tht  provisions 
on  board  the  boat,  continued  the  man,  a 
party  of  'Americans  fired  upon  us,  and 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  247 

wounded  the  officer  in  the  thigh,  who  fell : 
"  I  shall  be  made  prisoner,  said  he,  taking 
out  his  purse ;  keap  this,  and  if  I  live  and 
regain  my  liberty,  perhaps  you  may  have 
an  opportunity  of  restoring  it : — alarm  the 
boat's  crew,  and  shift  for  yourselves."  The 
boat  was  alarmed,  returned  to  the  ship,  and 
we  saved  ourselves  by  flight. 

"  This  happened  about  four  months  ago ; 
the  ship  soon  after  sailed  for  New  York, 
and  tne  officer  was  imprisoned  in  the  gaol 
of  the  town  to  which  we  are  to  go ;  I  can 
therefore  restore  him  his  purse." 

The  man  farther  informed  them,  that 
they  had  several  times  come  near  being  ta- 
ken, and  the  last  trip  they  were  fired  upon, 
and  one  of  their  party  killed. 

"  They  immediately  set  out  for  the  afore- 
said town,  after  having  dismissed  their  fif- 
teen men ;  and  when  they  arrived  there, 
..\lonzo  and  Edgar  accompanied  their  pris- 
oner to  the  gaol.  On  making  the  proper 
enquiries,  they  were  conducted  into  a  dark 
and  dirty  apartment  of  the  gaol,  where 
were  several  prisoners  in  irons.  The  Brit- 
ish officer  was  soon  distinguished  among 
them  by  his  regimentals.  Though  envelop- 
ed in  filth  and  dust,  his  countenance  ap- 
peared familiar  to  Alonzo;  and  on  *  few 
moments  recollection,  he  recognized  in  the 
manacled  officer,  the  generous  midshipman, 


248  ALONZG    AND    MELISSA. 

Jack  Brown,  who  had  so  disinterestedly  re- 
lieved him,  when  he  escaped  from  the  pris- 
on in  LondoD  ! 

In  the  fervency  of  his  feelings,  Alonzo 
flew  to  him  and  clasped  him  in  h-is  arms. 
a  What  do  I  behold  !  he  cried.  My  friend, 
my  brave  deliverer,  in  chains  in  my  own 
country  !" 

"  The  fortune  of  war,  boy !  said  Jack- 
it  might  have  been  worse.  But  my  lad,  I 
am  heartily  glad  to  see  you ;  how  has  it 
fared  with  you  since  you  left  Old  England?'1 
— "  We  will  talk  of  that  by  &nd  by,"  said 
Alouzo. 

There  were  then  some  American  officers 
of  distinction  in  town,  with  whom  Edgar 
was  acquainted,  to  whom  he  applied  for  the 

relief  of  the  noble  sailor  ; and  as  therf 

were  several  other  British  prisoners  in  gaol 
it  was  agreed  that  a  cartel  should  be  imme- 
diately sent  to  New  York  to  exchange  them. 
Alonzo  had,  therefore,  the  satisfaction  to  see 
the  irons  knocked  off  of  his  liberal  hearted 
benefactor,  and  his  prison  doors  opened. 

The  man  they  had  taken  at  the  mansion, 
returned  him  his  purse,  containing  only 
twenty-five  guineas,  of  which  Jack  gave 
him  ten.  "  There,  boy,  said  he,  you  have 
been  horest,  so  I  will  divide  with  you." 

They  then  nepaired  to  an  inn.  Jack, 
«vho&e  wound  was  healed,  was  put  undei 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  249 

the  hands  of  a  barber,  cleaned,  furnished 
with  a  change  of  clothes,  and  soon  appear- 
ed in  a  new  attitude. 

He  informed  Alonzo,  that  soon  after  he 
left  England,  his  ship  was  ordered  for  A- 
merica  :  that  the  price  of  provisions  grow- 
ing high,  it  had  taken  almost  all  his  wages 
to  support  his  family ;  that  he  had  sent 
home  his  last  remittance  just  before  he  was  ' 
taken,  reserving  only  the  twenty-live  guin- 
eas which  had  been  restored  him  that  day. 
— •' But  I  have  never  despaired,  said  he; 
the  great  Commodore  of  life  orders  all  for 
the  best.  My  tour  of  duty  is  to  serve  my 
king  and  country,  and  provide  for  my  dear 
Poll  and  her  chicks,  which,  if  I  laithfull) 
perform,  I  shall  gain  the  applause  of  the 
Commander." 

When  the  cartel  was  ready  to  depart, 
Alonzo,  taking  Jack  apart  from  the  compa- 
ny, presented  him  with  a  draught  of  iive 
hundred  pounds  sterling,  on  a  merchant  i'i 
New  York,  who  privately  transacted  busi- 
ness with  the  Americans.  u  Take  this,  my 
friend,  said  he ;  you  can  ensure  it  by  COH- 
verting  it  into  bills  of  exchange  on  London. 
Though  you  once  saw  me  naked,  I  can  now 
conveniently  spare  this  sum,  and  it  may 
assist  you  in  buffeting  the  billows  of  life." — 
The  generous  tar  shed  tears  of  gratitude, 
and  Alonzo  enjoyed  the  pleasure  of  seeing 


250  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

him  depart,  calling  down  blessings  on  the 
head  of  his  reciprocal  benefactor. 

The  man  who  came  with  Alonzo  and 
Edgar  from  the  mansion,  then  went  before 
the  magistrates  of  the  town,  and  gave  his 
testimony  and  affidavit,  by  which  it  appear- 
ed that  several  eminent  characters  of  Con- 
necticut were  concerned  in  this  illicit  trade. 
They  then  released  him,  gave  him  the 
money  they  had  found  in  the  cellar  at  the 
mansion,  and  he  immediately  left  the  town. 
Precepts  were  soon  after  issued  for  a  num- 
ber of  those  traders ;  several  were  taken, 
among  whom  were  some  of  the  gang,  and 
others  who  were  only  concerned — but  most 
of  them  absconded,  so  that  the  company 
and  their  plans  were  broken  up. 

When  Alonzo  and  Edgar  returned  home 
and  related  their  adventure,  they  were  all 
surprised  at  the  fortitude  of  Melissa  in 
being  enabled  to  support  her  spirits  in  a 
solitary  mansion,  amidst  such  great,  and  so 
many  terrors. 

It  was  now  that  Alonzo  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  future  prospects.  It  was  time  to 
select  a  place  for  domestic  residence.  He 
consulted  Melissa,  and  she  expressively 
mentioned  the  little  secluded  village,  where 

"  Ere  fate  and  fortune  frown'd  severe, 
hey  projected  scenes  of  connubial  bliss,  and 


ALONZO  AND  MELISSA.  251 

planned  the  structure  of  their  family  edifice. 
This  intimation  accorded  with  the  ardent 
wishes  of  Alonzo.  The  site  formerly  marked 
out,  with  an  adjoining  farm,  was  immedi- 
ately purchased,  arid  suitable  buildings  e- 
rected,  to  which  Alonzo  and  Melissa  remov- 
ed the  ensuing  summer. 

The  clergyman  of  the  village  having  re- 
cently died  in  a  good  old  age,  Edgar  was 
called  to  the, pastoral  charge  of  this  unso- 
phisticated people.  Here  did  Melissa  and 
Alonzo  repose  after  the  storms  of  adversity 
were  past.  Here  did  they  realize  all  tho 
happiness  which  the  sublunary  hand  of  time 
apportions  to  mortals.  The  varying  sea- 
sons diversified  their  joys,  except  when  A- 
lonzo  was  called  with  the  militia  of  his 
country,  wherein  he  bore  an  eminent  com- 
missiori,  to  oppose  the  enemy  ;  and  this  was 
not  unfrequent,  as  in  his  country's  defence 
he  took  a  very  conspicuous  part.  Then 
would  anxiety,  incertitude,  and  disconsola- 
tion  possess  the  bosom  of  Melissa,  until  dis- 
sipated by  his  safe  return.  But  the  happy 
termination  of  the  war  soon  removed  al! 
cause  of  these  disquietudes. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war,  Alonzo 
received  a  letter  from  his  friend,  Jack 
Brown,  dated  it  an  interior  parish  in  Eng' 
land, — in  which,  after  pouring  forth  abur* 
d?ice  of  gratitude,  he  informed,  that  on  re- 


252  ALONZO   ANP    MELISSA. 

turning  to  England  he  pi'ocured  his  discharge  from 
the  navy,  sold  his  house,  and  removed  into  the 
country,  where  he  had  set  up  an  inn  with  the  sign 
of  The  Gratfful  Ameruan.  "Yon  have  made  ua 
all  happy,  said  he ;  my  dear  Poll  blubbered  like 
a  fresh  water  sailor  in  a  hurricane,  when  I  told 
her  of  your  goodness.  My  wife,  my  children,  all 
hands  upon  deck  are  yours.  We  have  a  good  run  of 
business,  and  are  now  under  full  sail,  for  the  land 
of  prosperity." 

Edgar  married  to  one  of  the  Miss  Simpsons,  whose 
father's  seat  was  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village.  The 
parents  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa  were  their  frequent 
visitors,  as  were  also  Vincent  and  his  lady,  with 
many  others  of  their  acquaintance,  who  all  rejoiced 
in  their  happy  situation,  after  such  a  divev«:ty  <>f 
troubles.  Alfred  was  generally  one*  a  year  their 
guest,  until  at  length  lie  married  and  settled  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

To  our  hero  and  heroine,  the  rural  charms  of 
their  secluded  village  were  a  source  of  ever  pleasing 
variety.  Spring,  with  its  verdurous  fields,  flowery 
meads,  and  vocal  groves  ;  its  vernal  gales,  purling 
rills,  and  its  evening  whippoorwill:  summer,  with 
its  embowering  shades, ^ reflected  in  the  'glassy 
lake,  and  the  long,  pensive,  yet  sprightly  notes  of 
the  solitary  strawberry-^Dird  ;*  its  lightning  and 
its  thunder  ;  autumn  with  its  mellow  fruit,  its  yel- 
low foliage  and  decaying  verdure  ;  winter  with  its 
hoarse,  rough  blasts,  its  icy  beard  and  snowy  mantle, 
all  tended  to  thrill  with  sensations  of  pleasing  transi 
lion,  the  feeling  bosoms  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa. 

*  A  bird  which,  in  the  New  England  states,  makes  its  first 
appearance  about  the  time  strawberries  begin  to  ripen.  Its  song 
is  l(-n_',  hy.  and  consists  of  a  variety  of  notes,  commencing 
sprightly,  but  endiug  plaintive  and  melancholy. 


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